SOROTI – Parents in Soroti district have been urged to renew their commitment to protecting the rights and welfare of girls and children.
Clare Ainomugisha, the Rose Academies Director in Uganda making her remarks during the commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child at Amodoima village, Gweri parish, Gweri Sub County in Soroti district .
Rose Academies Uganda and educationists from the Ministry of Education and Sports made the call as they commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child on Wednesday (October 11, 2023) in Soroti district.
Girls are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are leaders today. They have the energy, creativity, and passion to drive positive change in their communities.
But they (girls) face unique challenges and barriers in various societies, therefore, there is an urgent need to break down these barriers for their well-being and development,” Clare Ainomugisha, the Rose Academies boss in Uganda said, Wednesday.
Ainomugisha remarked as hundreds of parents gathered at Amodoima village, Gweri parish, Gweri Sub County in Soroti district to commemorate the Girl Child Day.
Five of the thirty vulnerable girls who are beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme.
The day was celebrated under the theme, ‘Invest in Girls’ Rights: Our Leadership, Our Well-being’.
Founded in 2014, on principles of social justice, human rights, and equality for all, Rose Academies is a non-profit organization working to remove barriers that prevent vulnerable and oppressed women, youth, and the disabled from reaching their full potential in life by sharing the gift of knowledge.
Ainomugisha said they are committed to improving the girl child’s standard of living through their health care programs that support the well-being of the Girl child.
“Only 17% has been covered in Gweri County and 30 girls are being sponsored to complete their primary level this year,” said Ainomugisha.
She added that 242 girls inclusive of young mothers were undergoing vocational skilling and that “more 235 girls, below 20 years are being trained in nutrition, menstrual health, and sexual reproductive health rights education workshops, irrespective of boys.”
Loyce Mildred Icimu, the Soroti District Inspector of Schools at the Commemoration ceremony.
She called upon parents and all leaders present to support girls’ well-being through sustainable programming on what already exists (in terms of successful programs), and where girls are already finding support.
Rose academies lauded
Presiding over the ceremony, Jenipher Ilenyo, the Soroti district Senior Education officer, who was represented by Loyce Mildred Icimu, the District Inspector of Schools, said Rose’s move to take back the girls to school was a profound importance of empowering and uplifting them to hold a right future.
“Seeing 30 girls given a chance to complete primary seven with all expenses paid for is one of the best offers we are proud of on this Girls’ Child Day.
And you young girls, let us look at the future, do not be a person not willing to learn, utilize the chance and stick to education for better grades. Looking forward to seeing you take my role in this district in years to come,” Ilenyo said.
To the girls attending tailoring and baking, Ilenyo urged them to have self-discipline, regularly attend scheduled classes, and be ambitious to reach far, than where they are.
“No work is shameful, successful girls have stories to tell, I’m here speaking to you and I have a story to tell. So, love what you are studying and make good use of the free sponsorship you have to learn and change your standards of living,” she remarked.
Paul Egonyu, the Soroti district Education Officer (Special Needs) was happy that the girlchild with a disability was prioritized for the free services rendered.
The nutrition class showcasing proper feeding skills
“And you parents, start mentoring children from childhood. We are waiting for children and we want all of them in schools. Stop forcing them into forced marriages,” warned Engonyu remarked, requesting for the organization bosses to lobby for proper girls’ washrooms in the area schools.
Auto Sipola, the deputy Community Development Officer, told parents to value their girl children, urging them to plan for children before giving birth.
School dropout rate
Ainomugisha further stressed that in their August 2022 survey carried out in Gweri, in Parishes of Omugenya, Awaliwal, Dokolo, Gweri, Aukot, and Awoja from 491 families (then), the number of dropouts was 168.
“28 of these got pregnant and 110 parents couldn’t afford tuition primarily due to the high number of children in their families. Either 87 of the families had had a child with a disability or they were disabled themselves. 52% of these girls dropped out of school (mainly primary level), she stressed, adding that pregnancies happen as early as 12 years of age and the school dropouts were under the age of 10.
The Gweri Sub County LC III Chairperson, Simon Peter Opolot, and Tom V. Olobo, the Sub County Chief Administrative Officer, among other local leaders also graced the event.
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