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.
*OVER 5000 girls
reached through the girls’ empowerment clubs
*4000 Girls
have gone through our Girls At Risk Program over the last 7 years
*2000+ Girls
have been part of our Savings and Loans Associated and have received skills trainings and financial management skills
*1000+ Girls
and women have been connected through the Women Role Models Program
