Adolescent girls in Uganda are facing a multitude of challenges that severely hinder their empowerment and well-being.

About 25% of Ugandan teenagers experience pregnancy by the age of 19, and nearly half are married before they turn 18.
Only around 20% of adolescents are enrolled in secondary schools.
Adolescent girls in Uganda account for 66% of all new HIV infections.

Addressing these challenges is crucial for a more equitable future for girls in Uganda.

Milaan is piloting the Girl Icon program in partnership with Surge for Water and Prince of Peace Widows and Orphans (POPOW) in the Kaberamaido and Kalaki districts of rural Uganda. This collaboration equipped girls with life skills, mentorship, and opportunities for community engagement, fostering resilience and leadership.

The Girl Icon Program is a girl-led, girl-centered initiative to tackle gender inequality in education by addressing the socio-economic, and cultural barriers that hinder girls' success. Through a leadership-building model, the program invests in local girl leaders (Girl Icons) who serve as role models, offering guidance and inspiration to other girls in their communities.

A small-scale pilot in 2024 saw 30 Girl Icons participate in a residential leadership training program, demonstrating growth in confidence, conflict resolution, and mentoring skills.

In 2025, Milaan is conducting a larger pilot with 75 Girl Icons and 1,000 peer girls.

You can join this movement to break the cycle of patriarchy and poverty and invest in the power of young women and girls as they forge their futures in Uganda.

It costs only $50 a month to support one girl to participate in Milaan’s flagship Girl Icon Program and $150 to support one girl’s school education.

So, will YOU join us on this journey of igniting the future and potential of girls in Uganda?

Invest in Her Future: Give Today for Girls in Uganda

By Milaan Foundation

Invest in Her Future: Give Today for Girls in Uganda