The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is a network of 200 grassroots, women-led organizations that amplify the voices of women and girls to advance gender justice and systemic change across the Greater Horn of Africa. The organization implements programs to end violence against women and girls (VAWG), supports displaced women, and cultivates women’s economic empowerment and leadership. In 2024, SIHA reached 36,062 women, girls, and community members across the region through its programming and advocacy.
In Arua City, Uganda, adolescent girls face intersecting challenges that can threaten their safety, education, and future opportunities. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, rates of sexual violence, early and forced pregnancies, and school dropouts have dramatically increased. The rates of child mothers are rising, and many are stigmatized, economically dependent, and unable to reintegrate into the education system or find pathways to financial independence.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, the organization will implement a second phase of its Empower Her Project to support young mothers and school students in Aura City. The project will conduct workshops on leadership, self-expression, and sexual and reproductive health of young mothers. It will also support them with economic empowerment training and will implement community engagement dialogues involving teachers, families, and local leaders to foster supportive environments.
The project will directly reach 60 adolescent girls, and an additional 300 community members will be indirectly impacted. The organization aims to cultivate a generation of empowered young mothers who reclaim their agency, secure sustainable livelihoods, and inspire their peers to challenge harmful norms, ultimately fostering safer, more inclusive communities where every girl can thrive.
To learn more about SIHA Network, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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