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.