Supporting Refugee Girls and Young Mothers
Reclaiming dignity, building independence, and creating better futures in Nakivale.
"Because no girl should miss school because of menstruation, and no young mother should be left vulnerable to sexual and economic exploitation because of violence, displacement, and circumstances beyond her control."
Every young mother deserves the skills, support, and opportunities to reclaim her dignity, build an independent livelihood, and create a better future for herself and her children. This is why Empower Her exists.
Through menstrual health education, psychosocial support, vocational skills development, and economic empowerment, ARAI is working to ensure that the circumstances refugee girls and young mothers have experienced do not determine the futures they can build.
Supporting Schoolgirls
For many refugee schoolgirls, menstruation becomes a challenge when access to sanitary materials and accurate menstrual health information is limited.
Through Empower Her, we organized interactive menstrual health education sessions where girls learned about their bodies, menstrual hygiene, and managing their periods with confidence.
With support from Girls on the Move at Pearson College UWC in Canada, participating girls received menstrual hygiene kits and soap.
"Our goal goes beyond distributing supplies. We want every girl to feel confident, supported, and free to pursue her education without shame or stigma."
What We’ve Done So Far
Young Mothers Reached
Participated in our August 2026 menstrual health and hygiene training sessions.
Refugee Schoolgirls Supported
Provided with interactive menstrual health education and body confidence training.
Hygiene Kits & Soap Distributed
Essential dignity supplies delivered in partnership with Girls on the Move (Pearson College UWC).
"These are the first steps of a journey toward lasting girls' empowerment."
Supporting Young Mothers
For young refugee mothers, the challenges of displacement are often compounded by sexual violence, exploitation, interrupted education, and economic insecurity.
Many are raising children while lacking access to the skills and opportunities needed to become financially independent.
In August 2026, more than 130 young mothers participated in our menstrual health and hygiene training, receiving essential information, menstrual hygiene kits, and soap.
This was our first step toward a larger commitment: helping young mothers rebuild confidence, develop practical skills, and pursue independent livelihoods.
"Because empowering a young mother also means investing in the future of her children."
What’s Next for Empower Her?
Empower Her is not intended to end with the distribution of hygiene supplies. Our next phase aims to create sustainable opportunities through key focus areas:
Trauma Healing & Psychosocial Support
Providing dedicated care and safe spaces to strengthen emotional well-being, restore mental resilience, and support recovery.
Vocational Skills Training
Practical skill-building in tailoring, hairdressing, and salon services to equip young mothers with market-ready trades.
Digital Literacy & Entrepreneurship
Business management and digital skills to support income generation, small enterprise creation, and financial independence.
Continued Menstrual Health Education
Expanding outreach to reach more refugee girls and young mothers with critical hygiene resources and health knowledge.
Our Long-Term Vision
To build a community-led program where young mothers can develop sustainable livelihoods, reduce their vulnerability to exploitation, and eventually become mentors and sources of opportunity for others.
"True empowerment is not only about what we give today, but what becomes possible tomorrow."
Get Involved in Empower Her
There is still so much we can do together for refugee girls and young mothers in Nakivale. For some, access to menstrual hygiene supplies makes everyday life easier. For others, learning a skill is the beginning of a more independent future.
Whether you would like to donate menstrual hygiene kits, support educational or vocational training, or share your skills, your contribution makes a meaningful difference.
Partnering with us expands our reach across Nakivale Refugee Settlement, helping ensure that young mothers and girls have the resources and mentor networks needed to thrive.
With the support of partners like Girls on the Move at Pearson College UWC, we have taken the first steps. We hope to reach many more girls and young mothers, and we would love for you to be part of what comes next.