When girls are given the space to speak, the opportunity to lead and the support to dream, their voices become a powerful force for change. This is one of the key lessons we carried with us from the Girl-Centered Advanced Certification and Girls First Summit.
On 25th August 2026, Wezesha Girls Network Uganda joined advocates and practitioners at the Girl-Centered Advanced Certification training and the Girls First Summit hosted by Girl Rising and She’s the First at Fairway Hotel. The three-day learning experience brought together individuals and organizations committed to advancing the rights, leadership and wellbeing of girls and young women. It provided an important opportunity to learn, reflect, share experiences and explore practical approaches to ensuring that girls’ voices, experiences, needs and aspirations remain at the centre of the solutions we design.
One of the most meaningful reflections from the summit came from a simple but powerful activity. Members were given a space to write freely about how they felt about the day. This corner became a space for thoughts, emotions, creativity and honest expression. It reminded us that giving girls a voice sometimes begins with something as simple as creating a safe space where they can express themselves freely and without fear of judgment. Girls do not always need adults to speak for them. They need opportunities to speak for themselves to be heard and to know that their thoughts and feelings matter and as advocates and practitioners, we have a responsibility to continue creating spaces where every girl feels safe to speak, be heard and be herself.
We were also inspired by a powerful session on “Stories That Empower and Transform: Social Emotional Learning and SRHR.” The session explored how storytelling especially through film can become a powerful tool for education, advocacy and social change. Stories can do much more than entertain. They can help people understand experiences different from their own, challenge harmful beliefs and create meaningful conversations around social emotional learning and sexual and reproductive health and rights. When stories reflect real experiences and are told with purpose, they can amplify voices that are often unheard. Stories can challenge harmful social norms, encourage communities to think differently and inspire people to move from awareness to action. At Wezesha Girls Network Uganda, we recognize the importance of storytelling as a tool for advocacy. The stories of girls and young women can help shape conversations, influence change and remind communities and decision-makers why girls must remain at the centre of development.
One of the most powerful moments of the Girls First Summit was the Girl Hour. The space was grounded in a simple but important belief: girls are the experts and architects of their own lives. We listened to young girls share their stories of change, their experiences and their journeys through mentorship. Their voices provided powerful insights into what girls need, what works and how meaningful support can transform their lives. This was an important reminder that our role as partners, advocates and practitioners is not to speak for girls. Our role is to listen, learn, create space and act alongside them. Girl-centered work means recognizing girls as leaders, thinkers, decision-makers and active participants in shaping their own futures.
Through the “What Would You Do?” game, members explored everyday situations through conversation, laughter, reflection and critical thinking. The activity reminded us that meaningful learning happens when girls are given opportunities to think, question, speak, choose and share their perspectives. Sometimes, powerful conversations begin with one simple question: What would you do? Such approaches can help create spaces where girls feel confident to express their opinions, explore different choices and develop the skills they need to navigate the world around them.
The journey towards gender equality and girls’ empowerment can sometimes feel like a series of small steps. However, when communities, organizations and girls themselves come together, those steps become a powerful movement. Together, we can build communities where girls are heard, valued, respected and supported to shape their own futures. As Wezesha Girls Network Uganda, we are deeply grateful to Girl Rising, She’s the First and all the facilitators and members who made this learning experience rich, engaging and transformative.
The Girl-Centered Advanced Certification and Girls First Summit have strengthened our understanding of what it means to work with and for girls in ways that recognize their agency, leadership and lived experiences. We leave with new knowledge, practical tools and renewed energy. More importantly, we leave with a stronger commitment to taking these lessons beyond the training room and translating them into meaningful action in our communities. Our commitment remains clear: to continue listening to girls, creating safe spaces, amplifying their voices and supporting them to learn, lead and take action because when girls are given the space, support and opportunity to speak and lead, they do not only change their own lives.
Compiled by: MERCY NKAKARA.
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