TRANSFORMING LIVES OF GIRLS THROUGH THE #Hike4GirlsUg CAMPAIGN

At Raising Teenagers Uganda, we prioritise the health and overall well-being of the girl child and through the annual #Hike4GirlsUg campaign we have been able to transform many lives of girls. Over the years, at least 45,000girls have been able to benefit from this campaign. The #Hike4GirlsUg campaign was born out of a need to address the issues that girls in Uganda face especially in the rural areas. Most girls experience challenges like child marriages, teenage pregnancy, school dropouts, menstrual stigma and this creates significant barriers to education and personal development for many girls.

The core focus of the #Hike4GirlsUg is menstrual hygiene management. Menstrual hygiene is a critical issue that is often under looked. In many rural communities, girls lack access to safer and healthier sanitary products, education and information about menstrual health. The lack of necessary resources like pads leads to absenteeism from school, feelings of shame and sometimes school drops. Through the #Hike4GirlsUg campaign, we support girls with sanitary pads and offer them knowledge on menstruation. By this, we are empowering the girls to manage their menstruation with dignity and confidence. 

On arrival, a team from Raising Teenagers Uganda headed by our Executive Director was hosted at a local radio station called Access FM. The radio talk show intended to keep the world connected to the cause, ensure inclusivity and create awareness about the #Hike4GirlsUg. Access FM, which is a trusted voice in the region, partnered with us to help with bridging the information gap for the girls that were not able to join the hike and aimed at ensuring that the message of breaking stigma and advocating for girls’ rights reached every corner of the community. The talk show contributed greatly to raising awareness about the campaign, listeners called in and asked questions and raised concerns about the different issues that the girl child faces in the day-to-day life. Inspirational and personal stories were shared from women and girls who have overcome challenges associated with menstruation and these narratives aimed at inspiring and encouraging the listeners.

This year, our passion for making a difference led us to Westnile, Terego district where we hiked Mt. Wati. This year’s hike brought together different stakeholders including partners from Civil Society Organisations, local government leaders, teachers, parents, community members and some adolescent girls that hiked with us and they are also part of the solution. All these contributed to the success of the hike and each group brought on board their unique strengths and perspectives hence creating a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by girls in Terego district.

 The hike up Mt. Wati was a powerful metaphor for the struggles and triumphs that girls in this community face.   The mountain with its steep paths and rocky terrain, represented the obstacles that need to be overcome in the fight for the girls’ rights and education.  As the hikers climbed Mt. Wati, they shared stories and experiences, sang songs and encouraged one another and this embodied the spirit of solidarity and resilience. The hike was not just about conquering a physical challenge but also a significant stride towards empowering girls in Terego district.

While in Terego district, our efforts were focused on Erewa Primary School. The reception at Erera Primary School was overwhelming, the teachers, students and school administration welcomed hikers with open arms and gratitude. We are proud to announce that at least 250 kits of sanitary pads were donated, and this means 250 girls will not have to miss school because of their period, 250 lives were touched, and 250 dreams and ambitions were restored. The distributions of the pads were not just an act of charity, but a statement of solidarity and support for the young girls’ right to education. Menstruation is a normal and natural process that every woman experiences in her lifetime. Most times, men and boys have little or no knowledge concerning menstruation. We have normalised including men and boys in talks and campaigns that involve menstruation because it is essential for achieving menstrual equity and breaking the cycle of menstrual stigma and discrimination. We are nurturing a generation that is more informed, empathetic and supportive to the women and girls that are menstruating.  

The impact of the #Hike4GirlsUg extends far beyond the distribution of sanitary pads. It has sparked conversations about menstrual health, education and gender equality within the community. Parents, teachers and local leaders that participated committed to advocate for the girls’ rights and create a supportive environment for the girls. The hike is art of the broader movement that seeks to address gender inequalities in education and health. As we look to the future, the #Hike4GirlsUg campaign will continue to evolve and expand. Our goal is to reach more girls in different regions, providing and supporting them with the resources they need to thrive. The journey ahead is long but the success of this year’s hike gives us hope and motivation. 

We are inspired by the resilience and determination of the girls we support, and we are committed to walk with them all the way. We believe that every step made towards empowering a girl child is a stride towards a brighter and equitable future. Together, we can make a lasting difference, one step at a time.