The Forgotten Dreams Of Dropout Schoolgirls In Kijjumba Village, Kikuube District
By: Ahirirwe Leticia
Worth Noting:
- This has also led to climate crisis in our communities due to loss of biodiversity, ecosystem, increased high temperature, carbon gas emission, high levels of deforestation due to energy poverty, and increased use of plastics during extraction of oil.
- It’s important that, communities especially women and has been disproportionate affected due to the gender norms, they have been neglected in decision making processes, displaced from their ancestral land and lack where to do agriculture from leading to food insecurity. Due to high levels of poverty, girls have been forced to dropout from school leading to increased teenage pregnancy and early marriages.
Kikuube District is one of the districts that trace passes the East Africa Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in the Albertine region. It’s important to note that Uganda discovered oil in 2006 and since then she has been planning on how to significantly use it for their social economic development.
After the discovery of Oil, oil companies such as Total Energies, Shell, Chinese Government, Uganda, Tanzania Government promised heaven and Earth to the communities knowing that it will be a blessing to the country. It’s clear that it has turned into a curse with the violation of both environmental, human and land rights, abuse of power, arrests, threats to the communities because they didn’t get what they had been promised.
This has also led to climate crisis in our communities due to loss of biodiversity, ecosystem, increased high temperature, carbon gas emission, high levels of deforestation due to energy poverty, and increased use of plastics during extraction of oil.
It’s important that, communities especially women and has been disproportionate affected due to the gender norms, they have been neglected in decision making processes, displaced from their ancestral land and lack where to do agriculture from leading to food insecurity. Due to high levels of poverty, girls have been forced to dropout from school leading to increased teenage pregnancy and early marriages. This is due to domestic work such as collecting firewood, fetching water walking a long distance, child labor leaving school to work in tea and sugar plantation, stone quarrying, peer pressure from colleagues and lack of support from their parents. All these factors have stimulated the increased number of school dropouts in Kikuube district.
The district with minerals that has to leading in social economic development , is the one that has increased levels of schools dropouts with over 50% of the ongoing school children according to 2021 report. Girls who drop out of school often face pressure to marry early, often as a result of poverty, social norms, or family expectations. This societal expectation can be seen as a means to relieve financial burdens, as families may view early marriage as a way of ensuring the survival or stability of their daughters. Additionally, lack of access to basic amenities like sanitation facilities in schools can deter families from sending their daughters to school. Girls are especially vulnerable when there are no proper sanitation facilities for menstruating students, leading them to miss school or drop out altogether.
Furthermore, lack of education also severely limits a girl’s ability to participate in societal decision-making processes. Educated girls are more likely to engage in political activities, advocate for their rights, and contribute to the advancement of their communities. On the other hand, girls who are deprived of education often face lifelong social exclusion and are less likely to take part in community leadership or social activism.
The economic impact of a lack of education is far-reaching. Without an education, young women are more likely to engage in low-wage, informal labor, and their chances of breaking out of poverty are greatly diminished. Educated women tend to earn higher wages, invest in their families, and contribute more to their communities, creating a positive ripple effect. However, when girls do not have access to education, they are often confined to jobs with limited pay and little security, perpetuating a cycle of poverty.
Breaking the Cycle of Poverty and Injustice
Addressing the school dropout crisis in Kikuube District requires a multi-faceted approach that tackles the root causes of the problem. Several interventions can help mitigate the factors that lead to school dropout and create a path for girls to access education, opportunities and realize their potential. It’s important to note that one of the fundamental steps is to improve the infrastructure of schools in Kikumbe District. This includes building more schools, especially in remote areas, so that girls don’t have to travel long distances to get an education. Access to education should not be hindered by geographical barriers. Ensuring that schools have proper sanitation facilities is essential for keeping girls in school. Having access to clean, private toilets can reduce absenteeism, particularly during menstruation
Furthermore, introducing mentorship programs so that young girls are able to identify their role models, build their dreams, and in the position to know the importance of education. More so, creating economic opportunities for women and girls can reduce the pressure on families to marry off their daughters or pull them out of school. Providing small loans or supporting local entrepreneurship initiatives can empower women and girls financially. This also includes creating job opportunities that can employ women and reduce their economic vulnerability. Programs that target poverty reduction at the family level can help break the cycle of economic hardship. These programs can provide support to families, helping them manage the cost of living and invest in their children’s future education.
In addition, enacting and strictly enforcing laws that prevent child marriage and protect girls from domestic violence is crucial. Governments and NGOs must work together to ensure that these laws are not only in place but are also effectively implemented. Important to note is that community-based awareness campaigns can challenge harmful cultural norms and raise awareness about the dangers of child marriage and the importance of education for girls. These campaigns can target both men and women, addressing issues of gender inequality and educating families on the long-term benefits of educating their daughters.
Lastly, encouraging girls to participate in extracurricular activities, sports, and leadership programs can build their self-esteem, resilience, and confidence. These programs help girls see their worth and potential and encourage them to pursue their educational and professional dream.
The dropout crisis in Kikumbe District is an urgent issue that demands immediate and sustained intervention. The girls who are dropping out today are the future of their community, and by ensuring they stay in school, society will be investing in a brighter, more prosperous future. By improving access to education, addressing poverty, ending child marriage, and empowering girls, we can break the cycle of inequality and create a new generation of educated, confident, and capable young women. The future of Kikuube District and the broader world depends on ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to dream, to learn, and to lead.
For God and my country
AHIRIRWE LETICIA
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
WOGEM UGANDA
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