Every day, countless young girls are trapped in the daunting cycle of child marriage, stripped of their dreams and potential. They are denied their fundamental rights to health, education, and security. Each year, 12 million girls around the world become child brides.
Gufasha Girls Foundation was conceived as a beacon of hope for this pressing issue. Gufasha Moureen was forced into child marriage at the age of 13 to a 62 year old man. Moureen lost her life at childbirth being too young to give birth. The foundation is named after Gufasha, a childhood friend of founder Joan Kembabazi.
The foundation, along with it's growing team of supporters, works to better the lives of girls, specifically addressing these core pillars:
- Combatting Child Marriage
- Enhancing Girls' Education
- Improving Menstrual Health and Hygiene
- Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health Education
- Boosting Women's Economic Empowerment
- Encouraging Gender Equality
Child Marriage: A Global Timeline
(Click on a year to interact)
2000
Approximately 1 in 3 women aged 20–24 report having been married as a child. Global efforts to end child marriage begin.
2005
2010
2015
2020
As a registered Community-Based Organization (CBO) since 2021 (CBO number KYG/095/21), Gufasha Girls Foundation operates primarily in Uganda, with Kayunga serving as the model district.
Established in 2016 and officially registered in 2021, the Gufasha Girls Foundation is a community-based organization dedicated to promoting girls' rights and education through advocacy, capacity building, and awareness.
Gufasha Girls provide vital menstrual health and hygiene resources, making it possible for girls to continue their education without disruption. According to the United Nations, one in ten African girls misses school during menstruation and eventually drops out because of menstruation-related issues. We are committed to reversing this trend.
Comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education and services are offered to a growing number of girls through our work. We firmly believe that every girl should have the knowledge and resources to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. Gufasha Girls advocatesfor economic empowerment for women, equipping them with financial literacy skills and microcredits, contributing to the fight against poverty and gender inequality.
Despite the strides we've made, there is so much more to be done. We dream of a world where every girl has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, free from violence, discrimination, and child marriage.
With your support, we can bring this vision to life.
Child Marriage is a Global Issue
In 2018, Alissa Koski and Jody Heymann, two researchers from the University of California Los Angeles, compiled a study detailing the prevalence of child marriage in the United States and common characteristics of those unions. The findings were published in the article "Child Marriage in the United States: How Common Is the Practice, And Which Children Are at Greatest Risk?: Child marriage in the United States". They found that out of every 1,000 children in the United States surveyed, about 6 were married.
Similarly, Unchained At Last, an organization dedicated to ending forced child marriage in the United States, found marriage licenses for 232,474 children between 2000 and 2018. Based on the correlation between population and incidence of child marriage, they estimated that the actual number of child marriages in the U.S. during that time was closer to 300,000.
Your support can redefine the future of a girl, empowering her to rise above societal norms and limitations, and to achieve her dreams. Together, we can foster a world where girls and women are empowered to shape their destinies and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
Shaping the Future, One Girl at a Time
Every minute, 28 girls around the world are forced into marriage. These child brides often face a life of hardship and pain, their dreams of a future lost to irrelevant societal norms.
"Through our programs, we have been able to reach and empower countless girls and women. Our work is making a huge impact."
Joan Kembabazi
Your support can transform a girl's life, empowering her to make informed decisions, stand up for her rights, and shape her future. Together, let's create a world in which every girl attains the opportunity to achieve her fullest potential, participate and contribute to all aspects of life.