Enterprising girls win big as AHF Uganda Cares Celebrates International Day of the Girl

By Darlington Mabonga

As the world celebrated the International Day of the Girl [IDG] an activity where millions of girls worldwide face significant challenges, yet they rise above adversity with strength and determination, Uganda equally participated in this crucial event with a host of activities.

On this Day which is observed annually on Oct. 11, AHF Uganda cares hosted the country’s 2024 national girl champions awards [GCA] events in partnership with the SDGs secretariat office of the prime minister [OPM], ministry of gender labor and social development and Kaleke Kasome foundation among other stakeholders respectively.

The colorful event , themed as ‘Increasing opportunities for the gnarl child’ climaxed at their headquarters along Old Kira road Kamwokya that attracted over 40 girl finalist participants who put up a host of thrilling activities among them a live comprehensive sexuality education and health as well as entrepreneurship sessions talk show which ended with the award of top performing girls who walked off with prestigious trophies and certificates of excellence of which are key resources they need to lead brighter and healthier lives.

The event was officiated by the state minister for youth and children Dr. Balaam Barugahara as well as the patron of International Day of the girl [IDG] Dr,Maggie Kigozi, the Director of public prosecutions [DPP] Jane Francis Abodo ,the board vice chair of the Private sector foundation Uganda [PSFU] Sarah Kagingo, government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, Girl right based civil society organizations [CSOs] and the media among others.

The classification of the awards included categories such as the Girl champion of the year award, girl earth award, survivor advocate award, girl education award, unique abilities award, sexual reproductive health rights [SRHR] girl champion award, girl innovation award, SDG champion award, girl lifetime achiever’s award, girl sports inspiration award, girl master of art award and media girl champion award respectively.

The minister, who congratulated AHF Uganda cares for hosting the event alongside the several stakeholders, pointed out that the commemorations on IDG are vital for recognizing and eliminating the obstacles girls worldwide continue to face such as unequal access to education and healthcare, and the threats of gender-based violence and child marriage in the country.

Dr.Barugahara observed that the activity helps the girls expose their hidden talent potentials which gives them opportunities of coming up with their unique entrepreneurship innovations that add value and enrich their respective communities as their innovations positively impact their communities.statistics from AHF

With 75% of new HIV infections among adolescents occurring in girls and 122 million girls still out of school, AHF calls for bold action in communities everywhere to ensure they receive the education, healthcare, and protection they need to have an equal opportunity to succeed.

“On this International Day of the Girl, we honor the courage and resilience of girls across the globe. We are proud to support them through our Girls Act program, which empowers young women and girls with the support and knowledge they need to advocate for their health and rights,” said Terri Ford, Chief of Global Advocacy and Policy for AHF. “It is crucial that we take on the barriers they face and take meaningful action to eliminate them. We call upon governments, civil society, village elders, teachers, and parents to create a world where every girl can be healthy and thrive, free from stigma and inequality.”

CSO members in a panel discussion 

Through the Girls Act, AHF empowers young women and girls across 37 countries with knowledge, support, and resources, the program builds community leaders and advocates and provides girls with the tools they need to remain free from HIV (or on treatment if they are living with HIV), stay in school, and avoid unpl