Girls Parliament to end child marriage in Uganda

Ruth is a primary seven pupil from Soroti District in Eastern Uganda. At 14 years of age, she is a change influencer in his municipality and proudly shares how her life has changed and how she has in turn changed the lives of her peers. She is the change agentGirl’s Parliament; a position she was elected into by members of various girls committees in February 2020.

“I come from a village in the community where cases of school dropouts are at the highest. Child abuse in my village could probably be the highest in the entire municipality”, she notes.

Some years back, Ruth learnt about the Girl’s Parliament because her school had representatives in the parliament.

“Because of that, I picked interest in participating in girl’s affairs. As young people, because of lack of exposure, we often fear to express ourselves. However, because of the interest in the Girl's Parliament, I convinced myself that I can be the speaker of the Girl’s Parliament and help speak on behalf of my fellow girls and protect my fellow girls who were being oppressed.” he says.

Ruth shares that she felt so happy to see that finally he had an opportunity to help friends who were being abused; especially those facing domestic violence which was on a high in Soroti. She adds that she is elated at being part of a very happy family with both parents whom she says are quite understanding and supportive.

From the time that Ruth was also elected speaker of the Girl's Parliament, she says that she, together with hier fellow honourable members, have been at the forefront of advocating for a safe community that upholds the rights of girls.