The Engender Mentorship organization officially inaugurated a new skills center in Wante village, Imaniro Sub-County, within Mayuge District. This milestone coincided with the official launch of the Engender Mentorship program in the area, aiming to address critical issues such as teenage pregnancies and school dropouts.
The event saw an impressive turnout, including the 3rd Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama, and the State Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development in charge of Children and Youth Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara, along with other regional administrative officials.
Josephine O. Zhane, the founder of Engender Mentorship, highlighted the urgency of their mission, noting that the Busoga region has alarmingly high rates of teenage pregnancies and school dropouts, with Mayuge District being one of the most affected areas. She emphasized that mentoring girls to stay focused on their education is crucial in preventing teenage pregnancies. For those who have already become mothers, the skills center offers programs such as making sanitary pads, providing them with essential skills to sustain their lives and support their families.
“These statistics are alarming,” Zhane stated. “We believe that by working together, we can reduce the number of teenage mothers and keep more girls in school. The Engender Mentorship Skilling Center will benefit not only the people of Wante but the entire Mayuge District.”
Hon. Balaam Barugahara echoed Zhane’s sentiments, stressing the importance of community involvement in safeguarding the futures of young girls. He praised the efforts of Engender Mentorship in supporting both school-going girls and teenage mothers through skill development programs. He expressed concern over the high number of teenage mothers who are also single parents, often due to pregnancies caused by family members or acquaintances. Hon. Barugahara called for a collective effort to keep girls in school, asserting that initiatives like Engender Mentorship are vital, but require community support to be truly effective.
Rt. Hon. Rukia Nakadama urged families to cease protecting those who perpetuate crimes against young girls, leading to teenage pregnancies and school dropouts. She commended Josephine and the Engender Mentorship team for their dedication to addressing these challenges in Mayuge District. Rt. Hon Nakadama highlighted the positive impact of the organization’s work in areas such as Bugadde and Kityerera over the past five days, which included skilling young mothers and mentoring students to help them achieve their dreams.
“The work done by Engender Youth Mentorship in our region is commendable,” Nakadama stated. “Their efforts in skilling young mothers and mentoring students are making a significant difference, and we are grateful for their commitment to improving the lives of our youth.”
The Engender Mentorship Skilling Center stands as a beacon of hope, offering practical solutions to some of the most pressing issues facing young girls in Mayuge District. Through mentoring and skill development, Engender Mentorship is paving the way for a brighter future for these young women and their communities.