Empowering the Future: A Bold Call on International Women’s Day

Every March 8th, the world comes together to celebrate the triumphs of women and to challenge the status quo—a day that has evolved over a century into a global rallying cry for gender equality. International Women’s Day is more than a celebration; it is a call to action, urging us to accelerate progress and break down the barriers that still hold women back.

This year’s theme Accelerate Action reminds us that achieving gender parity requires swift and decisive steps. We must challenge deeply entrenched biases, reform policies, and invest in the potential of every woman and girl.

In Uganda, this call is especially urgent. Despite remarkable strides in some areas, the reality for many Ugandan girls remains stark. More than 700,000 girls between the ages of six and 12 have never attended school, and nearly half of young women aged 15 to 24 are illiterate. Up to 40% are married before reaching adulthood, cutting short their potential and opportunities. Women’s representation in leadership also remains a challenge—while they hold 34.9% of parliamentary seats, their influence in key decision-making spaces is still limited. In the health sector, maternal mortality remains high, with 336 deaths per 100,000 live births, and gender-based violence (GBV) continues to devastate lives, with over 56% of Ugandan women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. These statistics reveal a painful truth: countless dreams are being dimmed by economic hardships, cultural constraints, and systemic inequalities.

At WLEDE, we believe in rewriting this narrative. In our relentless pursuit of our mission—to improve the quality and contribution of women and youth leaders for social transformation through leadership capacity development—we continue to empower Ugandan girls with the education, skills, capacities, and opportunities they deserve. Anchored in our objective to promote women’s rights to attain gender equality, we advocate for policies and investments that recognize and amplify the potential of young women. As the nation approaches a pivotal general election, now is the time to ensure that every decision reflects their voices and aspirations. WLEDE stands at the forefront of this transformative movement—championing

This International Women’s Day, under the theme of Accelerate Action, we invite you to join us in speeding up progress. Support programs that bridge the education gap, advocate for policy change, and empower every Ugandan girl to dream big. Together, let’s forge a world where education is not a privilege but a fundamental right, and where every girl is free to rise, lead, and transform her community.

Stand with WLEDE. Be the catalyst for change. Let’s make history—today and every day.