What changes when girls get to ask the questions?

By Joan Mugaba-  Founder and Chief Steward - Women’s Hub Uganda

For the past two years, the Girls First Institute has been a space where I have constantly been challenged to look beyond activities and ask deeper questions: Who has the power? Whose voice is missing? Are girls genuinely shaping the decisions that affect them, or are we simply creating activities we believe are good for them?

These questions have changed the way I lead Women’s Hub Uganda, from dismantling unconscious bias to strengthening agency, listening to girls, to encouraging active girls participation in our work through Focused Group Discussions that have shaped our Girls Council formation. We have moved from working on assumptions to asking girls questions to allow us explore ideas and different perspectives to create change together with the girls we serve.

Women’s Hub Uganda exists because we believe that girls and young women should have the information, opportunities and support to claim their rights and shape their own futures. Through the Girls First Institute Advanced Certification training and empowerment, we were able to partner with the Creative Action Institute who funded the Sauti Ya Dada program. Through Sauti Ya Dada we have worked with 30 girls over the past two years in Kamuge High School in Pallisa district, creating a space for them to understand their rights, examine the realities affecting their education like menstrual health, climate change and speak about the changes they want to see.

One of the most meaningful parts has been watching the girls move from simply participating to taking ownership. They have conducted research in their communities, identified barriers affecting girls’ education and articulated issues that matter to them, including the lack of school necessities and teenage pregnancy.

I have seen girls who initially sat quietly begin asking difficult questions, sharing their experiences and speaking with greater confidence about what they believe should change. Five girls from Kamuge High School also had the opportunity to participate in the East Africa Girls Leadership Summit in Nairobi, joining 45 girls from across the region. Seeing girls from a rural community step into a regional leadership space reminded me that sometimes what a girl needs is not someone to speak for her, but someone willing to create the space for her to speak.

One of the most powerful lessons for me has been the importance of moving from doing for to doing with. “Before Sauti Ya Dada, I didn't know that I could speak up in front of a class, but now I confidently raise my hand and answer questions which leaves some teachers shocked” Anna exclaimed in one of the sessions.

One of the girls proudly shares her self-affirmation card. A small but powerful act of claiming her voice.

We have become more intentional about creating spaces where girls can share their experiences, analyse the issues affecting them and participate in shaping responses. Our work has become less about speaking on behalf of girls and more about ensuring that girls are equipped and have the support to speak for themselves.

I used to think about change in terms of what we could deliver to girls. Now I think much more about what we can create with them. 

A glimpse into field work engagements with the girls.

Women's Hub Uganda is currently carrying these lessons forward by strengthening our Sauti Ya Dada program in Pallisa. Through an ongoing project, 'Amplifying Girls' Voices', made possible with funding from Girl Rising, we are deepening girls' knowledge, agency and decision-making around their sexual and reproductive health and rights.