Girl Up Initiative Uganda (GUIU) is a nonprofit organization working to empower the next generation of leaders through programs focused on increasing girls’ access to education. Its work primarily serves adolescents in Kampala’s urban slums, reaching the most marginalized girls. GUIU’S programs focus on quality education, skills development, and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). Since its founding, GUIU has impacted more than 65,000 adolescent girls, reducing school dropout rates and supporting transitions to higher levels of education. The organization also engages with family and community members to strengthen the broader ecosystem in which girls learn and grow.
Girls in Uganda face numerous challenges which hinder their education, safety, and full potential. According to The World Bank, only 24.9 percent of girls complete lower-secondary school, significantly lower than the average rate (43%) in Sub-Saharan Africa. Several factors increase girls’ likelihood of leaving school, including poverty and early marriages. Another critical challenge is the lack of education regarding sexual and reproductive health, increasing the risk of girls becoming pregnant at an early age. GUIU is committed to addressing these challenges to disrupt the cycle of poverty which commonly affects many girls’ future trajectories.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, GUIU will expand its Adolescent Girls Program and Big Sisters Network. The Adolescent Girls Program teaches critical skills and knowledge on leadership, SRHR, and gender equality while also providing scholarships to girls who are at risk of dropping out of school. The Big Sisters Network provides a space for girls to learn from one another as well as older role models. After participating in these complementary programs, girls will have the opportunity to participate in GUIU’s annual Big Sisters Network Camp, which focuses on leadership development.
Every girl deserves the opportunities to safely learn, grow, and achieve her dreams. Through this project, GUIU aims to promote girls’ rights and provide them with environments which nurture their full potential. The organization envisions a world in which girls are heard and have the capabilities to fully contribute to their societies, building the foundations for the next generation of women leaders who will continue opening doors for more girls.
To learn more about Girl Up Initiative Uganda, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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