Over the week, UNFPA Uganda, through Naguru Teenage Centre (NTC) under the #NOVOFGMUg Project supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, conducted a transformative three-day training in Mbale. The workshop brought together youth champions and FGM survivors from Karamoja, Sebei, and Kiryandongo, focusing on skills in documentation, storytelling, and reporting.
Giving Voices the Power to Be Heard
For many participants, this was more than just a training,it was an opportunity to turn personal experiences into powerful stories of resilience and advocacy. Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) learned how to share their journeys in ways that raise awareness, educate communities, and inspire collective action. Through guided sessions, participants explored photography, video, and writing as tools for storytelling, enabling them to document change from their unique perspectives.
Building a New Generation of Storytellers
Youth champions from across the three regions are already playing vital roles in community sensitization, media engagement, and youth dialogues. This training strengthened their ability to report accurately, collect testimonies, and communicate impact in ways that influence both local and national efforts to end FGM. By developing these practical skills, they are becoming community reporters and advocates,using stories to shift mindsets and protect girls’ rights.
Collaboration for Change
The initiative highlights the importance of collaboration between organizations working to protect women and girls. UNFPA Uganda, Naguru Teenage Centre, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation are committed to ensuring that every survivor’s voice counts in the national movement to end FGM. Their joint efforts promote not only awareness but also empowerment,helping individuals transform from victims into leaders of change.
Inspiring Hope for the Future
As the training concluded, participants shared moving reflections about their growth and renewed commitment to advocacy. They leave Mbale not just as trainees but as voices of transformation, ready to share real stories that inspire action within their communities.
Their message is clear: change begins when voices are heard. Together, these young champions and survivors are proving that storytelling can break silence, shift culture, and build a future where every girl is free to thrive.
