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20.01.2025 | Blog

Grow Together: Equal rights for women and girls

A Welthungerhilfe project in Uganda aims to address gender inequality through transforming gender roles, and improve accessing to menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health services, and economic resources.

The Grow Together Project in Uganda helps women establish their own small businesses © Finn Tönjes / Welhungerhilfe

Equal rights for women and men are enshrined in Uganda's constitution. Customs, cultural practices and traditions that violate dignity are prohibited. In the remote rural regions of Karamoja and Teso, however, the reality of life for many women and girls is very different: Over six percent of girls are victims of female genital mutilation, and physical violence against women is widely accepted.

Many girls in Karamoja do not go to school

For many girls, the onset of menstruation means the end of their education. They do not dare to go to school if they cannot afford menstrual hygiene products. With absences of at least five days a month, they quickly miss the boat. Child marriages and teenage pregnancies are further reasons for dropping out of school—if they have ever attended one. In Karamoja, more than 70% of people over ten have never been to school, especially girls. Their career prospects are correspondingly bleak.

Menstruation and contraception are often taboo subjects here. Many young women and girls are able to talk openly about this for the first time in our projects and receive important information.

Nancy Otyang Welthungerhilfe employee in Uganda

Grow Together overview

The Grow Together project in Uganda aims to address gender inequality, focusing on the Teso and Karamoja regions. It seeks to transform gender roles, improve access to menstrual health, sexual and reproductive health services, and economic resources. The project engages 5,244 women, girls, men, and boys in community dialogue, education on menstrual hygiene and sexual rights, and advocacy. It also empowers women through small business development and strengthens support networks. Over 400 women have received support to establish small businesses. Implementing partners include Straight Talk Foundation and KIFAD, with a duration from November 2021 to December 2024.

Better health care, education and support in emergency situations

Although women comprise 84% of the agricultural workforce, only 31% own their land and often lack official documents. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the challenging situation: many women have lost their jobs and, due to curfews, often experience violent situations without being able to seek help. Welthungerhilfe (WHH) stands up for the rights of women and girls, offer advice, and help men and women cooperate more and respect each other.

As part of the Grow Together project, much has already been done to improve living conditions for women and girls in Uganda: Contact points for emergencies are being expanded, and staff in communities, health facilities, and schools are sensitized and respond immediately when victims of sexual or domestic violence need counseling and medical help. At the same time, girls and women can now find contact persons for questions relating to sexual and reproductive health and hygiene.

"Now that I earn my own money with the kiosk, my husband takes me more seriously.” Miremba Akello (37) received coaching and training in business management and bookkeeping, as well as initial equipment for her stall. She uses the profits to contribute to the family income © Welthungerhilfe

WHH is dedicated to creating environments where women and marginalized groups can make decisions and lead the development of sustainable agricultural practices, nutrition solutions, and health initiatives.

More equal rights, co-determination and economic participation

Girls, women, boys and men take part in educational workshops together. The topic of violence against women, for example, is discussed there. These workshops promote dialog and equal coexistence. The mixed groups discuss issues such as menstruation, hygiene and sexual health to remove the aura of taboo. The workshops also cover contraception so that women and men can decide on family planning as partners in the future. Strategies are also being developed to overcome power structures and barriers to gender equality. Three thousand women are also receiving support to become economically active together and thus more independent. Equal rights, co-determination and economic participation empower women and girls to shape their lives more freely, safely and fairly.

WHH's partners are the local organizations Straight Talk Foundation and Kiyita Family Alliance for Development (KIFAD).

Zwei Landwirte in Uganda verwendet das Smartphone um Landarbeiter zu finden, 2021.
The WHH project aims to strengthen equal rights in the communities and enable women to participate economically © Welthungerhilfe

How WHH helps women in Uganda achieve greater equality

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