Girl Up Initiative Uganda

GIRL UP INITIATIVE UGANDA'S MISSION IS TO BUILD A VIBRANT MOVEMENT OF GIRLS AND YOUNG WOMEN THROUGH TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP, SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH EDUCATION, AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT. THE US ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR THE UGANDAN ORGANIZATION.

THE ADOLESCENT GIRLS PROGRAM (AGP) EMPOWERS IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENT GIRLS TO BE LEADERS; REACH THEIR FULL EDUCATIONAL POTENTIALS AND MAKE HEALTHY AND INFORMED CHOICES. THE AGP PROVIDES GIRLS WITH THE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, TOOLS, MENTORSHIP AND SUPPORT TO DEVELOP THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND VOICE TO THRIVE AS LEADERS IN THEIR SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES. PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDE: YEAR-LONG LIFE SKILLS, LEADERSHIP AND SEXUAL HEALTH TRAININGS; SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS; TEACHERS' TRAININGS' PARENTS' MEETINGS; ADVOCACY EVENTS AND COUNSELING AND EMERGENCY SUPPORT. IN 2022, GUIU EXPANDED TO THE EASTERN UGANDA BUKEDEA DISTRICT AND BEGAN WORKING IN FIVE PRIMARY SCHOOLS TO IMPLEMENT AGP AND BOYS CHAMPIONS PROGRAM. IN TOTAL, AGP WAS ACTIVE IN 29 ACHOOLS WITH 1895 GIRLS GRADUATING FROM THE PROGRAM IN 2022. THE BIG SISTERS NETWORK IS A CONTINUATION OF THE AGP FOR GRADUATING GIRLS. THE PROGRAM ENSURES THAT AGP ALUMNI CONTINUE TO STAY INVOLVED AND ENGAGED AS GIRL LEADERS AND MENTORS TO BUILD THEIR SELF-CONFIDENCE AND POSITIVELY TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES AND COMMUNITIES. IT CONSISTS OF ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING, SKILLS BUILDING AND KNOWLEDGE ACQUISITION THROUGH ENGAGEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING RAISING THE VOICES OF GIRLS ON NATIONAL TELEVISION AND RADIO.

THE BOY CHAMPIONS PROJECT (BCP) REACHES IN-SCHOOL ADOLESCENT BOYS WITH CRITICAL KNOWLEDGE AND INFORMATION TO CHALLENGE DEEPLY-HELD GENDER NORMATIVE ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS AND IMPROVE THEIR KNOWLEDGE AROUND SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS AND GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. THE PROJECT WAS DESIGNED BASED ON EVIDENCE PROVING THAT IN ORDER TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS, ADOLESCENT BOYS MUST BE MEANINGFULLY ENGAGED FROM A YOUNG AGE TO UNDERSTAND IMPORTANCE OF MAKING GENDER SENSITIVE DECISIONS, RESISTING THE PRESSURE OF NEGATIVE MASCULINITIES AND SUPPORTING THE GIRLS AND WOMEN IN THEIR LIVES. IN 2022 THE PROJECT REACHED A TOTAL OF 995 ADOLESCENT BOYS FROM 15 PRIMARY SCHOOLS.

MAZURI DESIGNS HUB AIMS TO ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT OF YOUNG WOMEN THROUGH A VOCATIONAL TRAINING COURSE IN FASHION DESIGN AND TAILORING THAT IS COMBINED WITH ENTREPRENEURIAL AND PERSONAL SKILLS TRAINING FOR OUT-OF-SCHOOL VULNERABLE YOUNG WOMEN, AGES 16-35 YEARS. DURING THE 10 MONTH COURSE, PARTICIPANTS LEARN PRACTICAL, PERSONAL AND BUSINESS SKILLS TO IMPROVE THEIR CONFIDENCE, OVERALL WELLBEING AND ECONOMIC SELF-RELIANCE. IN 2022, 52 YOUNG WOMEN GRADUATED FROM THE MAZURI DESIGNS HUB DURING A FASHION SHOW AND CELEBRATION. 96% OF THE TRAINEES PASSED THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATION EXAM OF THE DIRECTORATE OF INDUSTRIAL TRAINING