The European Union (EU) and UNICEF have launched a transformative assistance programme to support vulnerable girls’ secondary education in Uganda’s West Nile, Lango, and Acholi sub-regions. The initiative will empower 5,000 girls to complete their secondary education through the Cashplus Programme for Girls in Secondary School, funded by the EU and implemented by UNICEF.
This effort is part of the broader Gender for Development Uganda (G4DU) programme, which aims to remove the significant economic and social barriers that hinder girls from completing their education. The Cashplus programme will specifically target girls from the districts of Adjumani, Yumbe, Lamwo, Nebbi, Oyam, Madi-Okollo, and Kitgum. These girls will attend government-supported Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools and receive vital financial assistance to ensure their uninterrupted education.
The G4DU programme is the largest flagship initiative from the EU and Team Europe in Uganda, with a total budget of €85 million allocated across various implementing partners. These partners include UNICEF, Enabel, KfW, and the Spotlight Initiative, all working collaboratively to advance girls’ education through various strategies, including school infrastructure, teacher training, and improvements in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services.
EU Ambassador to Uganda, Jan Sadek, highlighted the programme’s significance, stating, “This is a concrete expression of our commitment to gender equality and inclusive development. It is an opportunity to invest in the potential of Ugandan girls, support their education and empowerment, and contribute to more resilient and equitable communities.”
Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative to Uganda, emphasized the program’s broader impact, saying, “We aim to support the government in ensuring that girls continue and complete their education, thereby empowering them to break the cycles of poverty and gender inequality. This is vital in preventing the risk of teenage pregnancies, a major challenge for young girls in Uganda, and in realizing their full potential as agents of change in their communities.”
The Cashplus programme is strategically designed to address the multiple barriers girls face in accessing education. Each selected household will receive financial support every school term, with additional assistance provided to girls with disabilities. This support will cover critical educational needs, including school fees, scholastic materials, and other necessary expenses.
The rigorous beneficiary selection process, which took six months, focused on national and refugee girls who completed Primary 7 and passed the 2024 Primary Leaving Exams. This support will be provided continuously from 2025 to 2028, ensuring that these girls can complete their secondary education without interruption.
In addition to financial support, the programme offers a comprehensive support system, including:
- Personalized mentorship for the girls and their families
- Guidance on the importance of education
- Community engagement initiatives to foster a supportive learning environment
