Central Girls Vocational School (CGVS) was at the heart of national advocacy for girl-child empowerment recently as it proudly served as the venue for the highly impactful Girls Not Brides Uganda (GNBU) Central Region Girl Summit 2025.
The event, held under the powerful theme “Re-Entry, Reclaim, Rise: The cost of Inaction to address the root causes of child marriage and Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda” brought together hundreds of stakeholders, government officials, civil society organizations, and young women to tackle the critical issues of child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
A Milestone for the Anthill Foundation.
A special recognition was given to our partner, the Anthill Foundation Uganda, for hosting the Central Region Girl Summit. This monumental occasion marks the Anthill Foundation as the first organization to host the GNBU Central Region Girl Summit at their own premises, a testament to their deep commitment and dedication to the cause.
The Anthill Foundation, a vital partner in our mission, demonstrated exceptional leadership and coordination to make the summit a resounding success. We extend our heartfelt congratulations for this well-deserved recognition!
CGVS at the Forefront of Girls’ Re-Entry.
The summit provided a crucial platform to amplify CGVS’s unique and transformative model. Our Team Lead, Ms. Elizabeth Kalemera, highlighted the immense societal cost of inaction, stating, “When a girl drops out of school, the community loses a potential leader, worker, and mother who could have contributed meaningfully to development.”
Our school was praised by the Guest of Honour from the Ministry of Education and Sports, for its inspiring model of skilling and reintegrating young mothers through vocational training, childcare support, and personal development classes.
CGVS students and young mothers, who are bravely rebuilding their lives, actively participated in the discussions, sharing their stories and advocating for better second-chance education and support systems. Their voices were powerful reminders of the importance of the summit’s theme.
Commitment to the Future
The Central Region Girl Summit culminated in a collective reaffirmation by over 450 stakeholders to work together to promote re-entry, gender equity, and improved education opportunities for girls and young women in Uganda. This historic event at our school has invigorated our resolve to continue providing a safe and empowering learning space for adolescent girls and young women affected by early forced marriage and teenage pregnancy.
We thank the Girls Not Brides Uganda Partnership, the Anthill Foundation, and all the participating organizations and individuals for making the Central Region Girl Summit an unforgettable and impactful event!
By Augustine Olowo
1 Comment
Thanks Augustine