Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU) hosted a two-day Capacity Building Workshop on September 26th and 27th, 2024, aimed at strengthening the communication skills of the Girls First Fund (GFF) grantees. This workshop was designed to equip these community-based organizations with the tools and knowledge necessary to effectively communicate their work in ending child marriage and advocating for children’s rights.
With 43% of girls in Uganda married before the age of 18, according to the 2016 Demographic Health Survey, the need for impactful communication has never been more pressing. Effective communication strategies can help amplify the message, mobilize community support, and influence policy changes.
Throughout the workshop, participants were introduced to key communication topics, including social media management, storytelling for advocacy, and digital content creation. Facilitators guided the grantees through practical sessions on using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) to reach larger audiences and engage effectively. Tools like Canva and Piktochart were introduced, allowing participants to design visually appealing and impactful content. The importance of crafting clear, persuasive advocacy messages was emphasized, alongside the need for consistent messaging across various platforms.
A unique feature of the workshop was its interactive approach, where participants were tasked with creating social media posts and developing advocacy messages in real time. These activities allowed for immediate feedback and practical application of the skills learned. The sessions encouraged peer-to-peer learning, with grantees sharing their own communication challenges and successes, creating a collaborative environment where they could learn from each other.
This capacity-building effort is part of a broader initiative of Enhancing Coordination and Learning among the actors to end Child Marriage in Uganda supported by Girls First Fund. By enhancing the grantees communication capabilities, these organizations are better positioned to influence change, raise awareness, and mobilize resources in the fight against child marriage.
