On 11th October 2025, Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU) commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child at the Uganda National Theatre in Kampala. Under the theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis,” the event celebrated the resilience, leadership, and creativity of girls, providing them with a platform to express their views, experiences, and aspirations through arts, crafts, poetry, and drama.
The celebration brought together students from primary and secondary schools, educators, and community members. Through speeches, skits, and artistic performances, girls shared powerful messages about the challenges they face, including school dropout, early marriage, and limited access to education, while also highlighting their strength, ambition, and capacity to lead change in their communities. The use of creative expressions allowed the girls to communicate complex ideas in engaging and relatable ways, making their voices heard and inspiring action among all attendees.
JFCU, together with its partners the Uganda National Cultural Centre, Nile Humanitarian Development Agency, Mentoring and Empowerment Programme for Young Women (MEPROW), and ECO Pads Uganda provided mentorship sessions for students on how that can take up advocacy spaces. Partners from eco pads also demonstrated the use and care of the reusable pads. and through the story telling sessions different individuals sharing inspirational stories to the girls through interactive sessions that emphasized learning, self-expression, and confidence-building.
Speaking at the event, Babrah Namara from JFCU highlighted the organization’s ongoing commitment to empowering girls through education, mentorship, and leadership programs. They emphasized the importance of creating safe spaces where girls can learn, explore, and express themselves freely, and called on families, communities, and stakeholders to continue supporting girls’ education and holistic development.
The International Day of the Girl Child 2025 demonstrated that when girls are given the opportunity and platform to lead, they can transform their communities, inspire peers, and shape a brighter, more equitable future.
