October 30, 2023 – In regions where conflict has been rife, where socio-economic stability is rare and where internal security is volatile, women are often the first group to suffer. Moreover, traditional values in conservative communities often mean that the role women have to play in positive communal transformation is undervalued. WPDI’s mandate at the local level is to change this, and encourage positive attitudes towards female empowerment. Education is at the heart of our strategy, and encouraging young women to pursue their education is a fundamental component of our general Peacebuilding blueprint around the world.
In this context, with the support of our partner the L’Oréal Fund for Women, we were able to enroll 75 young women in 8 secondary schools across the Karamoja Sub-Region, Uganda, this year. Each individual participant comes from an underprivileged community, which are often ostracized from external influence. Therefore, we have implemented a program of support and mentorship for them, to provide them with guidance throughout their studies, and maximize their chances of success. This will ensure they have a safe learning environment at school and at home, and provide counseling to help the young women overcome challenges to their educational experience.
The young scholars were mobilized in their various schools through a pre-established structure of mentorship. Our WPDI team, having created a strong synergy with district stakeholders, comprising district education officers, district community development officers and municipal education officers from the nine districts of Karamoja, supported the process. This mentorship approach involves regular contact with the school administrators aimed at generating general feedback regarding the student’s wellbeing in school, detailed feedback from mentors assigned to support students in school, and the sharing of personal experiences by students while in school or at home.
Together with the selected teams from each district, our staff also took the students through some life skills sessions, which are designed to enable the students’ to ensure that their learning environments are safe and conducive to success.
The program has been life changing for participants. Akongo Vicky Eva, 18, from the village of Napeikori, highlighted what her participation has meant for her: “Before I was enrolled into the program, I struggled to complete my primary level education because my poor parents could not raise school fees and other requirements. Immediately after sitting my primary examinations, I was wondering how I could further my studies because I was sure that my parents couldn’t afford it, even though I had attained 14 aggregates in the primary examinations and was the best candidate in my school. Being devoted to my education, I was informed of the WPDI scholarship for vulnerable girls. I applied, was shortlisted, made it through and was enrolled in Jubilee 2000 SS Karenga which is one of the best schools in the Sub-Region. The school is very conducive for learning and we as a team of nine girls are destined to make it to university. We pledge for continuity of the program and we will pray for our donors to support us further in our education and accomplish my dream of becoming an engineer.”
Watching these students grow and flourish is a wonderful experience for WPDI and our teams on the ground, because we know that these young women have a key role to play in the sustainable development of their communities and the country as a whole, which has long suffered from instability and violence. They can lead the way on the path to peace.
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