Implementation Status of the National Strategy to end Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy

Findings Presented by Mr. Franco Toleya Ass. Commissioner in Charge of Children at the National Stakeholder’s Meeting by Girls Not Brides Uganda and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development on 14th August 2025 at Hotel Africana

The Second National Strategy to end Child Marriage and Teenage Pregnancy was launched on the 16th June 2025

Implementation Status todate

📌 Policy and Strategy Dissemination

1. Disseminated the National Child Policy 2020 in 112 Districts and 1 City, and established District/City Child Wellbeing Committees to monitor the implementation of the Policy and promote child wellbeing in their areas of jurisdiction.
2. Disseminated the Strategy in 32 districts in Karamoja and Acholi Sub-Regions and supported them to integrate the Strategy interventions in the District Development Plans.

🛡️ System strengthening for detection, preventing, reporting, referral and tracking mechanisms for ending violence against children including sexual violence that results into child marriage and teenage pregnancy

3. Establishing Coordination Committees
   • The Ministry has established child wellbeing committees from the national, sub-national, Sub-county and community levels.
   • At National level, the committee is comprised of key Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Development Partners.
   • At other levels, it is comprised of Heads of Departments, development partners, private sector, media, cultural and religious leaders.
4. Toll Free Helpline – SAUTI 116
   • Integrated both prevention and response to violence against children and women.
   • On average, SAUTI handles 1200 cases of violence monthly.
   • 19% – 21% are cases of sexual violence.
   • Provides immediate responses and referrals to service centres including health facilities, police and judiciary.
5. Strengthening Community Systems
   • Trained 8,032 Parasaocial Workers (community volunteers supporting in preventing and responding to violence against children).
   • Trainings conducted in Refugee Hosting Districts of Obongi, Yumbe, Terego, Madi-Okollo, Arua, Kamwenge, Kyeggegwa, Isingiro, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, and other districts in Karamoja and Acholi Sub-Regions.
6. Promoting Positive Parenting
   • The MGLSD rolled out Parenting Guidelines and Standards in the following districts:
     Adjumani, Kitgum, Kiryandongo, Lamwo, Madi Okolo, Koboko, Obongi, Terego, Yumbe, Kaabong, Karenga, Kotido, Abim, Napak, Moroto, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit, Amudat, Kapchorwa, Kween, Bukwo, Kasese, Isingiro, Kamwenge, Kikuube, Kyeggegwa, Mubende, Ntungamo, Kassanda, Kampala, Wakiso, Kamuli, Mukono, Tororo.

🗣️ Community Dialogues

7. Conducted community dialogues to end negative cultural practices including child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in Sebei and Karamoja Sub-Regions.

The Ministry is also currently developing the first National Strategy to end FGM.

💡 Social Economic Transformation of Families

8. Through the Youth Livelihood Program and Uganda Women Empowerment Programs, the Ministry is mobilising women to access PDM to address the underlying cause of teenage pregnancies associated with low household incomes.