You are able to read this, but half a billion women and girls around the world can’t. 130 million girls are prevented from going to school today, 1,000 will be infected with HIV today, and 144 girls will die as a result of violence.

Today, and every day after that. Our country Uganda has the highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Sub-Saharan Africa, with over 25% registered every year. The average girl in Kigezi faces multiple threats right from the day she is born. Caused by chronic poverty, discrimination, lack of education, deeply entrenched prejudices, poor nutrition, inadequate protection, and violations against her very body. As she grows into an adolescent, she is young and entering puberty. A very sensitive period in her life cycle during which she would typically need extra attention. Instead, her protecting shield is removed and she is exposed. 

Resources are unavailable. Overwhelmed by need and helplessness, she falls prey to exploitation. The generally held assumption in Uganda is that extended family and community provide a safety net of protection for orphans following the death of their parents or guardians. However, we have come to find that this narrative has shifted. Extended family and community systems have been weakened by disease (predominantly HIV), dire poverty and rural urban
migration.

They rarely exist today to play this role.