WELCOME TO GIRL CHILD NETWORK UGANDA
where we provide girls with the tools and knowledge they need to preserve their optimism, restore their confidence and help them create a better world!
“Too often young people are seen as recipients of service; they should see themselves and be seen as leaders and assets who make powerful contributions to their communities and country”
– Memory Bandera, Founder – Girl Child Network Uganda
OUR MISSION
TO SUPPORT GIRLS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL EMPOWERMENT, PREVENTION OF CHILD RIGHTS ABUSES, REHABILITATION OF ABUSED GIRLS AND THE PROMOTION OF GIRLS' TALENTS.
Today, our organization reaches thousands of girls with our programs.
Girl Child Network Uganda (GCN) is modelled after the first GCN Zimbabwe empowerment model that was initiated in Zimbabwe as a community-based organization that empowers girls through the girls empowerment clubs in schools and communities.GCN Uganda was founded by Memory Bandera who also co-founded GCN Zimbabwe in 1998. By having a regional focus in Africa, GCN has successfully ensured that its initiatives address the unique challenges confronting girls in the region with the most contemporary and relevant international best practices.
HOW WE GOT HERE
GCN Zimbabwe founding member Memory Bandera brought the program to Uganda in 2009. When Memory launched GCN Uganda in 2009, the situation for children – girl children in particular – looked dismal. At the time, the most recent study of violence against children in Uganda revealed that as many as 75% had experienced some form of sexual violence, with more than 40% of children being forced to engage in child labor (Raising Voices and Save The Children, 2006 http://raisingvoices.o…ce_against_children.pdf). Today, our small organization reaches more than one thousand girls with our programs, while many have gainedaccess to education and financial opportunities.
We envision a world where girls are empowered, enjoying their social, economic and political rights, and walking in the fullness of their potential
BLOG
Learn more about how GCN is working with girls in Uganda!
SUPPORT GCN
Support girls’ access to education and rehabilitation. Let a girl know that her voice matters!
SOCIAL MEDIA AMBASSADORS
We have launched a Social Media Ambassadors Project with the objective of helping young girls
BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND CONFIDENCE IN HER ABILITIES
GCN provides avenues for the girl child to create her own future by maximizing her full potential. When a girl is denied basic knowledge and confidence in her abilities, she is more vulnerable to poverty, hunger, violence, abuse, exploitation, forced and early marriage and HIV/AIDS.
WHAT WE DO
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
Our years of experience with girls have enhanced our understanding of this truth and expanded our ability to navigate the complex interaction of exploitation, vulnerability, and girls’ lives. GCN implements its programs through empowerment clubs.
3 PROGRAMS
We currently run three programs: Opportunity Program, Girls at Risk Program, and Women Role Models Program – each designed to allow girls to directly manage their own lives and improve their communities, nation, and world!
5000 GIRLS REACHED
GCN Uganda started informally in 2009 and was officially registered in 2011 and has since reached out to over 5,000 girls in its work. Some of GCN Uganda’s first members and beneficiaries are now enrolled at university level pursuing different degree programs.
OUR PARTNERS
Click a logo for information on our work together
