By Adoch Susan, NCF Program Officer – Mental Health & Psychosocial Support
Email: susan.adoch@nwoyacharity.org
In the rural heartlands of Northern Uganda, a silent crisis is unfolding—one that continues to rob countless girls of their futures. While Uganda has made national strides in promoting gender parity in education, the dropout rate of girls—especially due to teenage pregnancy and early motherhood—remains alarmingly high in districts like Nwoya, Gulu, Pader, and Lamwo.
For many of these girls, the classroom is not a place of empowerment, but a chapter prematurely closed by the heavy burden of motherhood, poverty, and deeply rooted cultural norms.
A Crisis in numbers
According to the Ministry of Education and Sports and UNFPA:
- 1 in 4 Ugandan girls aged 15–19 is either pregnant or already a mother.
- In Northern Uganda, the teenage pregnancy rate is above the national average, with some sub-counties reporting rates as high as 30–40%.
- A 2023 report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) indicated that more than 60% of girls who drop out of school in the north do so because of early pregnancy or child marriage.
- Fewer than 20% of girls who become child mothers ever return to formal education.
Behind these statistics are real stories—of girls as young as 13 forced into adult responsibilities, of lost ambitions, and of communities struggling to support a generation of girls who need both protection and opportunity.
Why are so many girls dropping out?
The root causes of high dropout rates among girls in Northern Uganda are complex and interwoven:
- Teenage pregnancy and early marriage: Cultural practices, sexual violence, and lack of access to sexual and reproductive health education have left many girls vulnerable to unplanned pregnancies.
- Poverty: In many households, especially in post-conflict communities, parents prioritize educating boys over girls or see marriage as a way to reduce household expenses.
- Stigma and discrimination: Pregnant girls and young mothers face stigma from peers, teachers, and the wider community. Many are too ashamed to return to school, or are outright denied reentry.
- Lack of support systems: Schools are often ill-equipped to support pregnant learners or mothers with childcare responsibilities, flexible learning schedules, or psychosocial support.
- Gender norms and domestic burdens: Girls are disproportionately burdened with domestic chores, which impacts their school attendance and performance, further increasing their likelihood of dropping out.
The Human cost
The consequences of this crisis go far beyond the classroom. Child mothers are more likely to face complications during childbirth, experience intimate partner violence, and remain in poverty. Without an education, their chances of accessing formal employment or leadership roles are drastically reduced. Furthermore, their children are also more likely to suffer from poor health, malnutrition, and limited educational opportunities—perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
“I wanted to be a nurse,” says Sarah, 17, from Anaka Sub- County in Nwoya. “But after I got pregnant in Senior Two, I was told I could not come back. Now I stay at home with my baby. My dream is gone.”
What Needs to Change?
To break this cycle, a multi-sectoral, compassionate, and rights-based approach is needed. Here’s how government, communities, and civil society can respond:
- Support re-entry for child mothers: Schools must implement the Ministry of Education’s guidelines on re-admitting pregnant girls and young mothers. Communities and school leaders need to create safe, stigma-free environments for returning learners.
- Expand access to sexual and reproductive health services: Health facilities, schools, and youth centers should provide confidential, age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health education and services, including contraception.
- Strengthen community Engagement and parental involvement: Programs that involve parents, local leaders, and cultural institutions in conversations around girls’ education and gender equality are critical to shifting harmful norms.
- Offer economic empowerment for vulnerable girls and families: Providing vocational training, small business support, or scholarships for girls at risk can reduce the economic drivers of early marriage and school dropout.
- Enhance psychosocial and mentorship support: Trained female mentors and counselors can offer guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear for girls navigating the pressures of adolescence and motherhood.
A Call for national commitment
If Uganda is to achieve its development goals—including Vision 2040 and the Sustainable Development Goals—we must ensure that every girl, regardless of her background or circumstances, has the chance to complete her education. This is not just a matter of equity; it is a matter of national survival.
We must stop treating child motherhood as a private shame and start addressing it as a public policy failure. Only then can we build a society where girls are valued, protected, and given the full opportunity to thrive.
“The future of Northern Uganda lies not just in rebuilding infrastructure—but in rebuilding the hopes and dreams of its girls”
NCF Funding Statement: Supporting Child Mothers and Combating Girls’ School Dropouts in Northern Uganda
Nwoya Charity Foundation (NCF) is appealing for funding support to address the urgent and growing crisis of school dropout among adolescent girls in Northern Uganda, particularly those who become child mothers due to early pregnancy, forced marriage, or sexual violence.
Recent statistics from the Ministry of Education and Sports and UNICEF indicate that over 30% of girls in Northern Uganda drop out of school before completing primary education, and a significant portion of them are child mothers. In districts like Nwoya, Amuru, and Gulu, teenage pregnancy rates continue to rise, exacerbated by poverty, limited access to reproductive health education, and weak community protection systems.
NCF seeks to raise $35,000 to implement a 12-month program aimed at reintegrating child mothers into education and empowering at-risk girls with the knowledge and support they need to stay in school. This initiative will:
- Support child mothers with school re-entry bursaries, uniforms, and childcare support
- Establish safe spaces and mentorship clubs in schools and communities
- Provide comprehensive sexuality education and life skills training
- Engage parents, teachers, and local leaders to reduce stigma and promote girls’ rights to education
- Partner with health centers to improve adolescent sexual and reproductive health services
Our goal is to ensure that being a child mother does not mark the end of a girl’s education. With your support, we can give girls in Northern Uganda a second chance at learning, leadership, and a life free from poverty and dependency.
Let us stand together to break the cycle of dropouts, early motherhood, and inequality—one girl at a time.
To support this initiative or learn more, please contact:
📧 info@nwoyacharity.org
📞 +256784004631
🌍 www.nwoyacharity.org