International Women’s Day 2025

Raising Voices, Changing Lives

Women Lead the Fight Against Teen Pregnancy and Early Marriage in Nwoya

In Nwoya District, women are stepping up to lead the fight against teenage pregnancy and early child marriage, which for too long have robbed young girls of their futures. With the support of Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF), local women leaders have received leadership training to drive change in their communities.

Through advocacy meetings and community dialogues that include cultural and religious leaders, these women have become powerful voices for girls’ rights. They challenge harmful norms, educate parents, and work with local authorities to ensure that laws protecting girls from early marriage and pregnancy are enforced.

One of these trained leaders, Grace, is a community mobilizer and a mother:

I used to think that as women, we had little say in decisions affecting our daughters,” she says. “But after the training, I realized our voices matter. I have helped rescue three girls from forced marriage, and I will continue to fight for their right to education and a better future.

Thanks to these efforts, communities in Nwoya are seeing a shift. More girls are staying in school and parents are reconsidering early marriage. However, the work is far from over.

Every girl deserves the chance to grow, learn, and thrive rather than being forced into marriage or motherhood before she is ready. Together, with ongoing support, we can help girls and families in Nwoya District build brighter futures.

Breaking Barriers, Shaping Futures

Hundreds of Refugee Girls Gain Hope and Confidence Through Menstrual Hygiene Resources

In the heart of northern Uganda’s Pagirinya Refugee Settlement, home to refugees fleeing the ongoing conflict, violence, and hunger in South Sudan, thousands of girls have found hope and confidence. For many of these girls, managing their periods was a monthly struggle leading to missed school days, embarrassment, and a decline in academic performance. Without access to affordable sanitary products, some resorted to using rags, leaves, or other unhygienic alternatives, putting their health and dignity at risk.

Thanks to the distribution of sanitary pads with the support of Women’s Global Empowerment Fund (WGEF), 2560+ girls now have the resources they need to stay in school, focus on their studies, and reclaim their self-esteem. With access to proper menstrual hygiene products, absenteeism has significantly reduced, and their performance in class has improved. More importantly, they no longer feel ashamed of a natural biological process. Instead, they can pursue their goals with uninterrupted confidence.

One of the beneficiaries, 14-year-old Amina, shared her joy:

Before, I used to miss school for days because I had no pads. I felt ashamed and afraid of being laughed at. Now, I don’t have to worry. I feel confident, and I can focus on my dream of becoming a doctor.

The success is worth celebrating, but the need to eliminate period poverty in refugee settlements is larger than ever. Thousands of girls like Amina still face these challenges every month, putting their education and futures at risk.

No girl should be left behind due to lack of menstrual hygiene products. Your support of WGEF’s Healthy Periods Initiative (HPI) can make a difference. Together, we can empower more girls to stay in school, dream big, and build a future free from period poverty.

From Loss to Hope

Jenifer’s Journey of Resilience

“When Jenifer fled Sudan with her 1 year old baby, she carried nothing but the hope of finding safety. The civil war had taken everything her home, her family, and her sense of security. Arriving in Uga

nda as a refugee, she faced the harsh reality of starting over in an unfamiliar land, with no source of income and a baby depending on her.

Life in the refugee camp was tough. Food was scarce, and Jenifer worried about how she would provide for her child. But through support from WGEF, she received seeds, basic farming tools, and training on vegetable gardening. With determination, she turned a small piece of land in the camp into a thriving vegetable garden.

At first, the garden was just a way to feed her child nutritious meals. But soon, Jenifer realized she could grow more than she needed and sell the surplus to other refugees. What started as a survival strategy became a source of income, allowing her to buy other essentials and regain a sense of dignity.

Today, Jenifer is not just feeding her baby she is inspiring other refugee women to do the same. She shares her knowledge with fellow mothers, helping them start their own small gardens.“ – Bukenya, Program Director

Sudan is facing ongoing violence, hunger and displacement!

Women are fleeing sexual violence, hunger, and death. Sudan is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis and is considered the worlds worst hunger catastrophe. Millions have been displaced and the cutoff of USAID has shuttered community kitchens.

Women and children fleeing to Uganda are in critical need of support. WGEF is stepping up to meet the needs of the refugees as best we can. Our staff is small, our budget is

tight but we are assisting as many families as possible.

We are providing menstrual health supplies, training and economic opportunities, along with support from our Peer Counsellors and Access to Justice teams. We can’t do this without ongoing support and hope you will consider contributing to our lifesaving efforts.

Jennifer’s story is inspiring and meaningful. Together, we can change the trajectory of hopelessness and hunger, creating a brighter and more stable future for all.