STRENGTHENING THE MOVEMENT: LEARNING, LEADERSHIP AND COLLECTIVE ACTION FOR GIRLS’ RIGHTS.

When organizations learn together, lead together and act together, lasting change for girls becomes possible. From 26th to 28th May 2026, we had the privilege of participating in a transformative three-day grantee training and convening organized by Girls First Fund. The convening brought together organizations from across Uganda united by a common purpose: ending child marriage, advancing girls’ rights and ensuring that every girl remains in school and has the opportunity to thrive. Beyond capacity strengthening, the gathering created a meaningful space for reflection, collaboration and peer learning, enabling participants to exchange experiences and strengthen the collective movement dedicated to improving the lives of adolescent girls.

Day One focused on building strong organizational foundations that enable effective, accountable and sustainable programming. Through engaging and practical sessions, we gained knowledge in areas critical to organizational growth. Women Probono facilitated discussions on compliance, safeguarding and legal responsibilities, emphasizing the need to uphold ethical standards while protecting the wellbeing of beneficiaries. RUDIWA guided us through resource mobilization strategies, equipping organizations with approaches to strengthen fundraising and support systems. Sessions on human resource management led by Amani Initiative, highlighted the importance of nurturing and effectively managing teams while Sabiny STI concluded the day with insightful discussions on financial management and internal controls reinforcing the principles of transparency, accountability and sound financial stewardship.

Day Two cantered on leadership, governance and organizational sustainability. We explored governance structures, accountability mechanisms and the role of effective leadership in driving meaningful social change. Learning sessions on social enterprise development, strategic planning and resource mobilization provided practical tools to enhance resilience and long-term impact. One of the most inspiring moments of the day was hearing from graduates of the second Leadership Challenge Cohort whose stories reflected growth, resilience and the transformative power of mentorship. The day ended with the graduation ceremony of the Leadership Challenge participants celebrating their commitment to becoming stronger leaders within their communities and organizations.

Day Three served as a powerful reminder of what collective action can achieve. Through a presentation delivered by our team member Pillar Mbabazi on behalf of the Central Region grantees, she shared inspiring success stories demonstrating how collaborative efforts are transforming the lives of girls and communities. These stories showcased progress in keeping girls in school, challenging harmful social norms, reducing the risks of child marriage and creating supportive environments where girls can realize their full potential. As the convening came to a close, we exchanged best practices, strengthened partnerships and reaffirmed our commitment to advancing girls’ rights. We extend our sincere appreciation to Girls First Fund for investing in the capacity, leadership and growth of grantee organizations and to all partners, community leaders, parents and young people championing this cause. We remain steadfast in our commitment to End Child Marriage and to creating a future where every girl is safe, empowered and able to thrive.

Compiled by: Dorah Kamwine.