The International Day of the Girl Child 2021
This year the world marked the International Day of the Girl under the theme, ‘Digital Generation, Our Generation.’ COVID-19 pandemic changed the way things operate around the world necessitating unprecedented public health measures such as frequent lockdowns, closure of schools and businesses, societies with advanced digital technology were able to ensure the continuity of learning and economic productivity and most girls in rural areas were left behind. Two thirds of the world’s school-age children aged 3 to 17 years old- do not have internet connection in their homes. (UNICEF and International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
We must ensure that girls are part of the digital transformation. Otherwise, they will continue to be left behind as a result of the digital divide which is the social inequality on the internet. At the moment, millions of illiterate girls who never enrolled in schools or dropped out of schools due to poverty, early marriage, and pregnancy have little hope to be part of the digital generation. So, let us join our efforts to educate every girl and protect each one of them from the evils of teenage pregnancy and early marriage.
Girls Not Brides Uganda- the Uganda partnership to End child marriage and Teenage Pregnancy celebrated the international day of the girl child in different regions of Uganda, Western Northern central and South Western regions with different activities all of which were coordinated by regional coordinators.
Joy for Children –Uganda joined the International day of the girl child celebrations in the Northern region which were held in Apac district at Mazuri Seed Secondary on Monday 11th October, 2021 from 10am- 5pm and hosted by “Friends of Goodwill ”. The celebrations started at 10:00am with an opening prayer that was led by the Mistress of ceremony, National Anthem and Girls Not Brides anthem led by Miss Amonyi Catherine with over 300 people in attendance who included District Leaders, representatives from CSO’s, religious leaders, parents, girls and boys.
Opening remarks from the LC1 chairman
Mr Moro Morison commonly referred to as Otto welcomed the government officials, Politicians, teachers, parents, development partners and the girls for sparing their precious time to come and celebrate the girl child.
He urged people to continue observing Ministry of Health standard operating procedures emphasising that COVID-19 is real. He appreciated Girls Not Brides Uganda for the tremendous work they are doing in Uganda most especially for thinking about the Lango region where girls have been greatly affected by child marriage and teenage pregnancy.23, 549 girls visited health centres in Lango sub-region in the last eight months (The Monitor, 5th October 2021) to help in echoing in ending child marriage in their communities.
He further acknowledged the great work USAID is doing in ensuring that girls are equipped with knowledge and materials for skills development.
The first group of girls is doing well after gaining skills in tailoring and piggery while the second group is still under training and they are hoping for the best after their training, he added.
He urged members of Girls Not Brides Uganda to continue supporting the Lango region because a lot has happened since schools were closed.
Kid’s soccer:
The friendly match was between “Friends of Goodwill” for under 12’s Vs. “Agulu Division under 12’s lasted for 50 minutes, 25 minutes half time and 25 minutes last half, the match ended zero goals for both teams the match referee was Namara Barbra from Joy for children Uganda, linesmen were Awor Tinep and Apio Gift from Oyam
Communication from regional GNBU coordinator
Mr Nixon Ochatre welcomed all members and appreciated the girls for coming in large numbers in order to celebrate their day. GNBU is an alliance of 103 organisations in Uganda working towards ending child marriage. He appreciated Mr Odaaka Tommy executive director Friends of Goodwill for hosting GNBU to celebrate the Girl child
He encouraged partners and CSOs present to continue advocating, giving and sharing for girl child.
Let leaders and elders in communities be the light to the girls, girls never to give up, to keep in school, listen to their parents, avoid pregnancies, and avoid unhealthy relationships. He concluded.
Presentation of the paper
The paper was presented by Catherine Amongi on the achievements and challenges faced by girls in the Lango region.
Government programs, achievements
- The SRHR policy has been developed and passed by the government, Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Services and information. Appropriate family planning information and contraception options like condoms, pills, among others.
- Girls active participation in decision making and governance, In Apac District, 60% of youth are fully participating in governance and decision-making processes.
- Pregnant teenage girls have been enrolled effectively in the antenatal care services in different health facilities in Lango region and are receiving reproductive health services and information well by the health workers with support from government and the ministry of health.
- Child Marriages, about 30% girls of the 32 girls rescued by Friends of Good will between January– September. Child marriage has been taking place illegally at family level and COVID-19 induced lockdown and closure of schools have accelerated these harmful cultural practices.
- Between 2020-2021, 53 girls were integrated to vocational skills training (saloon work, hair dressing, bakery, hotel and restaurant) and further availed the start-up investment capital for the girls trained to start their own business.
Challenges
- Reports collected during the girl’s week revealed that: –
- 23,000 teenage girls aged 12-17 are pregnant and are enrolled in antenatal care services in various health facilities in Lango region
- 20% of the pregnant teens tested positive for HIV/AIDS and are have been enrolled on Antiretroviral Treatment –ARVs
- 15% of the teenagers mothers died during delivery
- 70% of the girls in the region and especially in Apac district and Apac municipality have no basic knowledge of condom use correctly and consistently for the prevention of teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections like “BOM ANYEDA”- syphilis, HIV/AIDS among others.
- There is no budget allocated to each District for creating awareness of adolescent sexual reproductive health.
- Health sectors are reluctant with supporting peer education and information for appropriate use of adolescent sexual reproductive health services
- Condom dispensers are installed in towns only – Grass roots areas have been left out
- Parents are encouraging their daughters to get pregnant by older men for material gain with the notion that the man will eventually marry them and they acquire bride price.
- The elderly men have impregnated teenage girls and the significant numbers of girl’s families have been compromised.
- Laxity of the local council chair persons in charge of the children affairs since Apac district alone has reported January – September 20% of the child marriages reported.
Communication from the CDO
Mr Edyez Tony appreciated Girls Not Brides Uganda Partners because this was the first time in history for Apac district to celebrate the international Day of the Girl child. “Most of us didn’t know such a day existed” he said
The CDO urged girls to reflect on what they were taught that day and called upon parents to talk to their children most especially girls because the situation of school closures which has contributed to their vulnerability .
He urged leaders and parents to look after their children because they are the leaders of tomorrow, he concluded by calling upon girls to raise their voices, be confident enough and strong to report any problem regarding their abuse.
The remarks from Mr Oreke Phillips, the inspector of schools who also doubles as municipal sports officer, appreciated GNBU partners and Friends of Goodwill Academy for the good work they are doing to reach out to the communities in Lango region. He acknowledged the role of sports in the community as a uniting factor and urged us to continue training children into sports.
The Guest of Honour:
Mr Ocan Philips appreciated the almighty God for the life of the stakeholders and the NGO’s for celebrating the girl child.
Distribution of donated items to girls/boys/families and sessions outreaches, the items were mobilized during the girl’s week, Miss Rachel the programmes personnel at Shadows of a child did a demonstration on how to use reusable sanitary towels, handed the sanitary towels to the area Member of Parliament to officiate the item’s distribution.
The list of items that were delivered to over 300 people that attended the event included: 200 packets of reusable sanitary pads donated by Shadows of a Child and Friends of Goodwill, 200 treated Mosquito nets donated by World Educare Network, 2 cartons of salt donated by CEFARH, 200 litres of liquid soap and assorted clothes for babies, girls and boys donated by Amani Initiative and Nile Girls Forum.
The event ended with Eastern African Anthem and a closing prayer from Miss Catherine.
Key recommendations are areas of action.
- There needs to be deliberate action by the government, schools and parents to mobilize and motivate girls to take up leadership positions at all levels since a leadership mentorship gap was identified as most leadership positions in the district are taken up by males.
- Allocation and effective implementation of adolescent sexual & reproductive health information and services through effective budgeting. The adolescents living in the rural communities need to also be reached out as most SRHR services currently don’t reach out to them.
- Provision of opportunities for digital access and usage by girls through promoting computer training at schools, cutting down internet costs and investment in better network access for internet service providers so as girls in the rural communities are also engaged and benefit from technology.
- Supervision and training of workers within construction projects on aspects of child protection as most girls have been defiled by them. Construction projects need to also be supported with functional child protection policies.
- Mobilizing collective efforts directly involving parents, CSOs and government in creating a safe space for girls to live with dignity and reach their full potential.
