Kiryandongo Initiative Empowers Sudanese Refugee Girls to Lead Through Education

Empowering Refugee Girls Through Human Rights Education

In the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, a collective of young girls dives into profound discussions surrounding their rights, dignity, and justice. For many, this is the first time they are hearing these vital concepts articulated, while others resonate deeply with personal experiences. Their unified determination focuses on turning knowledge into impactful actions, aiming to reshape futures not just for themselves but for their peers as well.

In August, Legal Action Worldwide (LAW) and the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) introduced an extensive human rights education program for Sudanese refugee girls in Uganda. This initiative – funded by an Education Cannot Wait (ECW) Acceleration Facility grant – effectively combines legal education with essential mental health and psychosocial support, allowing participants to engage with both formal and informal education opportunities. The holistic approach promises not only to inform but also to heal and empower.

During two pilot training sessions held in late August, twenty-five out-of-school girls aged 11-18 participated in a comprehensive three-day learning experience. The curriculum covered crucial topics such as human rights, gender equality, gender-based violence, and mental health. Additionally, it included practical sessions aimed at creating and delivering effective advocacy messages, thereby encouraging them to become advocates for change in their communities.

One participant passionately declared, "We cannot wait to finish this training and contribute to our community with what we have learned here." This sentiment clearly reflects the eagerness of these girls to share their insights and educate their communities on topics that are often left unaddressed. Many of these girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence due to their displacement, which has hindered their education further. Thus, this training provides them with a supportive environment to build resilience and confidence amidst ongoing uncertainties in Uganda.

Focusing on sustainability, LAW and SIHA have also trained ten trainers, seven of whom are women. This strategic move aims to disseminate the knowledge acquired through the program to 175 additional girls over seven three-day sessions within the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. A new trainer expressed gratitude for the experience, stating, "I have never been to a training like this—it was flexible and allowed us to participate and to contribute with our own experiences."

The first full training sessions commenced in mid-October, and by November, the initiative evolved into a mentorship phase where selected participants will advance as community agents of change. These girls are equipped to implement the advocacy strategies they developed during training, aiming to amplify the voices of Sudanese refugee girls and address urgent issues such as girls' education, child marriage, and gender-based violence.

This initiative unfolds against a backdrop of grim realities. With ongoing armed conflict in Sudan, nearly 14 million people have been displaced, which has left countless children without educational opportunities. The crisis escalates gender-based violence, with reports of systematic sexual violence, especially against women and girls, becoming widespread under the guise of war tactics. Survivors of such violence face insurmountable barriers as medical, legal, and protective systems crumble, leaving them stranded without safety or justice.

Even in Uganda, where many Sudanese refugees seek refuge, the challenges to education persist, rendering less than half of the refugee girls able to enroll in educational programs. This initiative aspires to dismantle cycles of exclusion and silence. Through robust advocacy, outreach programs, and partnerships with local educators and emergency actors, participants will receive support to pursue both formal and non-formal education opportunities.

More than an investment in education, this project is a significant push for girls' leadership. It aims to establish a network of young female advocates who can respond to their communities' needs and challenges while addressing the broader cycles of violence they and their communities have endured.

As one girl aptly reflects, "I learned that education is a right and a powerful tool for empowerment. My plan is to return to school next year. With the knowledge I have gained, I hope to sensitize other girls in the community about their rights."

With tailored support, these resilient girls are poised to convert knowledge into advocacy and transform adversity into leadership.