Delay Marriage Promote Schooling for Ugandan Girls

Dear Donors,

We are pleased to share this report with you, reflecting on our participation in the recent National Stakeholders’ Meeting on preventing teenage pregnancy, ending early marriages, advancing menstrual health and hygiene, and promoting positive parenting. The meeting was hosted by the Ministry of Education and Sports and brought together a diverse group of stakeholders committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children and adolescents in Uganda.

The meeting served as a national platform for reflection, coordination, and renewed commitment to tackling the persistent issues affecting young people especially adolescent girls. Joy for Children Uganda actively participated in the discussions, shared insights from our community-level work, and reaffirmed our commitment to collaborative, multi-sectoral action.

Children and adolescents were given the opportunity to speak for themselves in a powerful and moving session. They openly shared their experiences, concerns, and suggestions regarding early pregnancies, child marriage, lack of access to menstrual products, and poor parenting practices. Their testimonies underscored the importance of involving young people in shaping the policies and programs that affect their lives. It was a stark reminder that children are not just beneficiaries but key stakeholders in this national conversation.

A high-level panel discussion followed, with representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Ministry of Education and Sports, and various government agencies and civil society organizations. The panelists discussed current strategies, progress made, and persistent gaps in addressing teenage pregnancy, child marriage, menstrual health challenges, and parenting practices in Uganda.

Panelists highlighted several government efforts, including the integration of life skills and sexuality education into the national curriculum, adolescent-friendly health services, and legal reforms. However, it was acknowledged that these efforts need stronger enforcement, better funding, and deeper engagement with communities, parents, and local leaders.

As a participating organization, Joy for Children Uganda shared key lessons from our work in communities across the country. We emphasized the value of community-based parenting programs, education and empowerment of adolescent girls, and inclusive approaches that engage boys and fathers in changing harmful norms. We also supported the call for greater investment in menstrual health and access to safe learning environments for girls.

Our team contributed to the discussions with evidence-based insights and shared examples of successful grassroots interventions that are changing attitudes and improving outcomes for children.

The National Stakeholders’ Meeting served as a vital step toward unified action against the complex issues of teenage pregnancy, early marriage, menstrual health inequities, and weak parenting systems. We commend the Ministry of Education and Sports for their leadership in hosting the meeting, and we are grateful for the opportunity to participate.

Joy for Children Uganda remains committed to advocating for the rights of every child and working hand-in-hand with government, civil society, and development partners to build a safer and more equitable future for Uganda’s children.

We extend our sincere gratitude to all our donors. Your continued support makes it possible for us to take part in national processes like this, and to amplify the voices of children and communities across Uganda. Together, we are making progress toward a country where every child can grow up in safety, dignity, and hope.

Dear Friends and supporters,

We are grateful for your continued support of Joy for Children (JFCU) and the work we do to improve the lives of vulnerable children in our community. This report focuses on the critical issue of child marriage and early pregnancy, highlighting the risks involved and the efforts we are making to prevent these harmful practices through education and advocacy.

Child marriage and early pregnancy are two of the most pressing challenges that many young girls face today. Every year, millions of girls are married off before reaching adulthood, which leads to a range of harmful consequences for their health, education, and future.

Girls who marry young face extreme health risks. Their bodies are not yet developed, and early pregnancies can lead to complications, including preterm birth, maternal death, and long-term physical and emotional harm. Young girls are also at a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, due to limited control over sexual decisions and a lack of access to protective measures.

Beyond the physical risks, child marriage and early pregnancy strip girls of their childhood. Rather than attending school and pursuing their dreams, they are forced into roles as wives and mothers. This not only limits their opportunities but also keeps them locked in cycles of poverty and gender inequality, with few chances to break free and improve their lives.

At Joy for Children, we are determined to challenge the practices of child marriage and early pregnancy by advocating for girls' education. We believe that education is the key to empowering girls, allowing them to make informed decisions about their futures and create their own paths in life.

We work hard to ensure that girls stay in school and are not married off too young. Keeping girls in education helps reduce the likelihood that they will become child brides or teen mothers. Education provides girls with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead their own lives, make independent choices, and build successful futures. It opens doors to employment, self-sufficiency, and healthier lives.

Our advocacy goes beyond the classroom. We engage directly with communities to raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and early pregnancy. Through workshops and community dialogues, we educate parents, leaders, and policymakers on the risks these practices carry for young girls and encourage them to protect girls’ rights to education and safety.

We also work closely with local and national governments to strengthen and enforce laws that protect girls from child marriage. Our advocacy efforts push for stronger protections, ensuring that girls have access to essential sexual and reproductive health services and the legal framework to defend their rights.

In addition to policy advocacy, we provide support for girls who are at risk or already affected by child marriage and early pregnancy. This support includes counseling, life skills training, and educational scholarships to ensure that these girls can continue their education and build a brighter future for themselves.

Thanks to the support of donors like you, JFCU has made important progress in our work to address child marriage and early pregnancy. Over the past year, we have reached a large number of girls through our educational programs, helping them understand their rights and the importance of staying in school. We’ve worked with schools to raise awareness and engage parents and community leaders in the fight against child marriage.

Our advocacy efforts have contributed to the strengthening of local laws that protect girls, and we have helped fund scholarships for girls to continue their education. These initiatives have allowed us to reach more girls, raise awareness in communities, and make positive changes in the lives of those we serve.

While we’ve made progress, the fight against child marriage and early pregnancy is far from over. We must continue our efforts to advocate for stronger protections for girls, expand educational opportunities, and challenge the cultural norms that perpetuate these practices. With your continued support, we will be able to reach even more girls and make a lasting impact in their lives.

We are deeply thankful for your ongoing support and dedication to the work we do at Joy for Children. The fight against child marriage and early pregnancy requires continued commitment, but together, we can create a future where all girls have the opportunity to live healthy, empowered lives and reach their full potential.