Uganda's Child Marriage Strategy Under Review: Calls for Renewed Multisectoral Action

As Uganda’s National Strategy to End Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy approaches its concluding year, stakeholders have convened to assess its effectiveness. Girls Not Brides Uganda (GNBU) has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced multisectoral collaboration to tackle these persistent problems.

During a validation meeting hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, GNBU Co-Chair Joyce Nakato highlighted that the current rapid assessment of the strategy is a crucial moment for evaluation. This assessment aims to review progress across the strategy’s nine key pillars, identify existing gaps, and formulate evidence-based recommendations for future actions.

Nakato stressed that child marriage and teenage pregnancy significantly impede the empowerment of girls and hinder Uganda’s socio-economic development. She called for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach rather than fragmented interventions, underscoring the importance of keeping the experiences of girls at the forefront of policy and program development.

Citing Nelson Mandela, Nakato reminded attendees that a society’s treatment of its children reflects its soul, advocating for the prioritization of girls’ well-being and protection. She urged policymakers, development partners, civil society, and government institutions to critically engage with the assessment findings and propose practical solutions to strengthen future efforts.

“As Uganda transitions into the next development planning framework, we must ensure that the gains achieved under this strategy are sustained and accelerated so that every girl has the opportunity to thrive free from child marriage and teenage pregnancy,” Nakato stated. The meeting brought together various key actors to chart a path forward.

This review is vital for ensuring that future interventions are more effective in protecting girls and promoting their futures. The insights gained will shape the next phase of Uganda’s commitment to ending child marriage and teenage pregnancy.

Source: Nile Post