Girls in slum celebrate international day of the girl child

11 October 2025, 9:12 pm

By Byamukama Alozious

On 11th October 2025, the world marked the International Day of the Girl Child, and Ufahari Girls Ministry in Kalerwe, a slum area, hosted a special celebration to highlight the challenges faced by young girls in marginalised communities.

The event, held at Community Primary School, brought together girls from local schools for a sports gala, aimed at promoting girl child empowerment and education. Rachael Mutetsi, Founder and Director of Ufahari Girls Ministry, emphasised the importance of creating a safe environment for girls to thrive.

“We want to say to these girls, you are beautiful, you are smart, and you can be leaders in your community,” Mutetsi said. “Our girls matter, they have a future, and we need to empower them to reach their potential.”

Despite government initiatives such as affirmative action, universal primary education, and Emyooga, among others, many girls in slum areas and other marginalised communities continue to face significant challenges, including gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and reproductive health issues.

The slum areas pose unique challenges, including poor hygiene and sanitation, insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and education. Girls in these areas are often vulnerable to early pregnancies, sexual exploitation, and gender-based violence.

Mutetsi, who grew up in Kalerwe, understands the struggles these girls face. “I’ve seen cases of domestic violence, gang rapes, and sexual violence,” she said. “But we want to change this narrative and tell these girls that they can be more than their circumstances.”

The Ufahari Girls Ministry provides a safe space for girls to learn, play, and receive support. The organisation offers programs such as menstrual hygiene management, self-esteem building, and education support. They also provide SRHR education, aiming to reduce early pregnancies and sexual exploitation.

Today, they handed over textbooks worth nearly a million shillings to the local schools and provided reusable sanitary towels to the girls. “We’re not just providing resources; we’re investing in the future of these girls,” Mutetsi said. “We believe that with the right support, they can become leaders and change-makers in their communities.”

Nabantazi Jane, 10, from St. Paul Preparatory School, expressed her excitement about the celebration. “We remember this day to know the problems of girls and to get help to succeed in life,” she said. Nabulya Abigail Grace, from Community Nursery and Primary School, added, “We want to be free and have our rights respected.”

As the Ufahari Girls Ministry continues its work, they invite the community to join them in supporting girls in marginalised communities. “Our invitation to the community is to say that our girls matter, they are beautiful, they are smart, they’re intelligent, they have the radiance of God in them. We cannot dismiss them; we just need to empower this.”

The International Day of the Girl Child serves as a reminder of the importance of promoting girls’ rights and empowerment worldwide. In Uganda, organisations like Ufahari Girls Ministry are working tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of girls like Nabantazi and Nabulya.