Luwero District, November 7, 2025 – Central Girls Vocational School (CGVS) in Luwero District proudly hosted the Central Region Girl Summit 2025, bringing together over 430 participants, including district leaders, educators, community stakeholders, and, most importantly, young learners. Held under the inspiring theme, “Re-entry, Reclaim, Rise: Educate the Girl, Empower the Nation,” the summit served as a crucial platform to champion the re-entry of teenage mothers into education and showcase vocational training as a path to empowerment.
The event, spearheaded by the Girls Not Brides Consortium and the Anthill Foundation Uganda (AFU), achieved its primary objectives, which included celebrating the resilience of 500 teenage mothers and amplifying awareness of the national school re-entry policy.
A Focus on Resilience and Policy
The day was marked by powerful testimonies and high-level dialogue:
- Keynote Address: The representative from the Ministry of Education and Sports (Gender Unit), Katende Elijah, served as the Guest of Honor. In his address, he affirmed the constitutional right to education and emphasized that inclusive education is a moral and developmental imperative. He also sincerely thanked CGVS and the Anthill Foundation for hosting the summit.
- Voices of the Learners: A poignant Children’s Panel saw young mothers share common challenges, such as stigma, discrimination from peers, and unfriendly school regulations. They proposed recommendations, including the need for child-friendly school rules and strengthened guidance and counseling services.
- Inspiring Testimonies: Young mothers, beneficiaries of support from Anthill Foundation and TMF, shared their journeys of reclaiming their futures. Stella Amongin, 18, who dropped out in Primary 4 but enrolled in the Fashion and Design course at CGVS, narrated her success, concluding that “getting pregnant isn’t the end of life.” Another, Nalubega Anisha, shared how mentoring helped her regain confidence and become a transformed peer mentor.
Showcasing Vocational Empowerment.
A key highlight was the exhibition tent, where young mothers enrolled at CGVS showcased the skills they have acquired. The Guest of Honor and participants toured the gallery, admiring and auctioning items like bags, dresses, and beads produced under the vocational skilling programs, particularly in Fashion and Design and Cosmetology & Beauty Therapy.
The school’s role in establishing a center to support the re-integration of young mothers was commended by the National Coordinator of Anthill Foundation, who stressed that education is critical in achieving Vision 2040 and creating a skilled workforce.
Call to Action.
The summit concluded with a clear call for collective action. Stakeholders, including the District Education Officer (DEO), Probation Officer, and the Child and Family Protection Unit, pledged to enforce a policy-enabling environment and adopt a multi-sectoral approach to address teenage pregnancy.
The Chairperson and Team lead for the Girls Not Brides Consortium closed the summit by thanking Central Girls Vocational School and Anthill Foundation for providing such a critical platform, stating, “Such education centers are very critical in the development and empowerment of young girls and women with life-long skills.”
Central Girls Vocational School continues to be a beacon of hope and empowerment, providing young women with the skills and opportunity to reclaim their education and rise to their full potential.
By Augustine Olowo