Delay Marriage Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls

We are pleased to share a detailed update on our participation in the recent #GirlSummitUg, a national platform dedicated to advancing the protection, rights, and wellbeing of girls across Uganda. The summit brought together government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, and young people to reflect on progress made in addressing child marriage and teenage pregnancy, while exploring new strategies to strengthen collective action.

During the summit, Joy for Children Uganda had the honour of chairing a full session focused on innovations that are currently shaping national and community-level efforts to reduce child marriage and teenage pregnancy. As session leads, we guided the dialogue and presented the practical work we are implementing in various districts. This included explaining how our community-led prevention models help families and local leaders identify risks early and respond quickly to cases of abuse. We also highlighted how our empowerment programmes create safe spaces for adolescent girls, provide mentorship, and support girls who need help returning to school or enrolling in skills training after pregnancy.

In addition, we shared how our evidence-based advocacy continues to influence national policy conversations. By drawing on findings from our field programmes, we have been able to contribute meaningfully to discussions on strengthening reporting systems, improving service delivery, and increasing the visibility of issues affecting adolescent girls. We further emphasised the importance of working collaboratively with government partners, civil society organisations, and community networks to ensure that interventions are effective, well-coordinated, and sustainable.

Our participation in the summit strengthened our partnerships and increased recognition of the work Joy for Children Uganda is doing to protect and empower girls. It allowed us to share lessons and innovative practices that have shown positive results, while also learning from the experiences of other stakeholders. The summit reaffirmed our commitment to prioritising the rights and wellbeing of girls in all our programmes.

We extend our sincere appreciation to our donors whose continued support makes our work possible. Your contributions enable us to implement meaningful interventions, influence national discourse, and ensure that girls across Uganda have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive. Joy for Children Uganda remains committed to building a safer and more supportive environment for every girl.

On 19th November 2025, Joy for Children Uganda joined the rest of the world in commemorating International Men’s Day under the global call to promote positive masculinity, strengthen male involvement in community wellbeing, and highlight the unique challenges faced by boys and men. The day provided an important platform to recognize the role of men as fathers, mentors, community leaders, and partners in advancing gender equality.

The commemoration focused on creating safe spaces for men and boys to openly discuss issues that are often overlooked, including mental health, emotional wellbeing, the pressures of providing for families, and the need for supportive environments where men can seek help without stigma. Through community dialogues and engagement sessions held in different communities, participants reflected on how harmful gender norms affect both men and women, and how shifting these norms can strengthen families and build healthier communities.

Joy for Children Uganda used this day to encourage conversations around responsible fatherhood and the importance of nurturing father–child relationships. Many men shared personal experiences of the challenges they face in meeting societal expectations, and how these pressures sometimes lead to stress, depression, and withdrawal. Facilitators guided discussions on healthy coping mechanisms, the value of communication within families, and the role of community support systems in promoting mental wellness among men.

The event also highlighted the barriers that limit boys’ and men’s access to health services. Participants emphasized the need for more male-friendly health information, improved attitudes toward seeking medical support, and the importance of regular health check-ups as part of self-care. Testimonies from community members showed that when men are supported to take charge of their health, they are better able to support their families and contribute positively to society.

As part of the commemoration, Joy for Children Uganda reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender-inclusive programming where men and boys are valued partners in the fight against violence, inequality, and harmful practices. The discussions emphasized that empowering men to speak openly, seek help, and engage constructively is essential for building safer homes and stronger communities.

The day concluded with a renewed call to continue supporting initiatives that uplift men and boys, promote respectful relationships, and foster environments where all individuals regardless of gender can thrive. By observing International Men’s Day, Joy for Children Uganda underscored the importance of acknowledging men’s contributions, addressing the challenges they face, and working together to build a more inclusive and supportive society for everyone.