Empowering Sudanese Refugee Girls: The Changemakers We, the World, Need

The ongoing armed conflict in Sudan has displaced over 11 million people, leaving millions of children without access to education. Girls, in particular, face heightened risks of gender-based violence, child marriage and exploitation. As refugees, many Sudanese girls face additional barriers to education, with fewer than half enrolled in formal programmes. In Uganda, where many Sudanese refugees have sought refuge, these challenges are amplified by limited resources and educational opportunities.

On the International Day of Women Judges, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) and Legal Action Worldwide (LAW), in partnership with the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), have launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at empowering Sudanese refugee girls in Uganda. The programme – funded by an ECW Acceleration Facility grant of US$200,000 – will offer training in comprehensive legal education on human rights, gender equality, advocacy and more, while also supporting participants’ access to formal and non-formal education programmes, and integrating mental health and psychosocial support to help participants build emotional resilience.

This holistic approach aims not only to empower individuals, but also to create a network of young female advocates who have the legal knowledge and tools to promote the rights of refugee girls and address broader issues related to the cycles of violence many have been forced to endure within their communities.

“This is a powerful dream for many young refugee and crisis-affected girls enduring brutal armed conflicts. By joining forces with LAW and SIHA, we make their dreams come true. This kind of education, training and mental health support empowers them to transform from victims into leaders, advocates and changemakers. With their unbreakable resilience and unwavering determination, they will be the ones delivering precisely what the world needs at this crossroads of humanity,“ said Yasmine Sherif, Education Cannot Wait.

Localization and community participation are at the heart of this initiative. LAW and SIHA will leverage their networks of female lawyers, local educators and community leaders to connect girls with mentors who can inspire and guide them. A select group of participants will be designated as Change-Making Champions and receive additional mentorship from experienced women in the legal field, empowering them to advocate on issues related to girls’ education, child marriage and gender-based violence. These Change-Making Champions will also lead future advocacy efforts, amplifying the voices of refugee girls in their communities.

“Sudanese women’s human rights have regressed by centuries due to the ongoing campaign of atrocities and wars, where their bodies are exploited as tools and strategies of warfare. This situation stems from over 20 years of systemic gender-based violence against women and a persistent culture of impunity. On this International Day of Women Judges, we reiterate the demands of Sudanese women for justice and accountability as a foundation for peace,” said SIHA Network Regional Director Hala Al-karib.

“Women and girls are not only crucial for future accountability and peace, they are also first responders who provide essential support to victims and survivors of human rights violations and abuses, and to each other. Girls can be incredible agents of change and lead their communities to demand justice, this initiative is working alongside them as they take that role,” added Antonia Mulvey, Executive Director and Founder of LAW.

Through advocacy and outreach programmes, support from local educators and referral pathways with education in emergencies and protracted crises actors, participants of the programme will also be provided with support to access formal and non-formal education programmes in Uganda. This innovative grant emphasizes the importance of empowering girls through legal education, particularly those displaced by armed conflict.

As we commemorate the International Day of Women Judges, ECW, LAW and SIHA call on the international community to support efforts that empower girls globally – ensuring that they have access to quality education, legal support and opportunities to shape their destinies. Together, we can create a world where every girl, regardless of her circumstances, has the opportunity to learn, lead and succeed.

ECW’s  Acceleration Facility funding mechanism is dedicated to supporting the creation of global public goods and resources for the education in emergencies and protracted crises sector. ECW and its strategic partners are calling for US$600 million in additional funding to deliver on the goals outlined in the Fund’s four-year strategic plan. With increased financing from public donors, the private sector and high-net-worth individuals, ECW and its partners aim to reach 20 million crisis-affected children with the safety, hope and opportunity of a quality education by 2026.

###

About Legal Action Worldwide  

Legal Action Worldwide is an independant, non-profit organisation of lawyers and jurists working on the front line. In fragile and conflict-affected areas, LAW works with victims, survivors and communities – with a focus on women and children – to fight for justice and accountability for human rights violations and international crimes. LAW works in the Middle East, East Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe.

Learn more: https://legalactionworldwide.org/

X: @LegalActionWW

LinkedIn: Legal Action Worldwide (LAW)

About Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) is an indigenous feminist network made up of over 200 grassroots-led organizations from Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Somaliland, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, and Uganda. Founded in 1995, SIHA envisions a society where women and girls live in a peaceful and just environment, where they can fully exercise their equal rights as human beings. SIHA works to unlock the immense potential of feminist movements through research, advocacy, and capacity strengthening.

Learn more about our work: https://sihanet.org

For inquiries contact: info@sihanet.org

SIHA Network Social Media Accounts:

X (Twitter): @Sihanet

LinkedIn: The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa

YouTube: @SIHANetwork 

About Education Cannot Wait  

Education Cannot Wait (ECW) is the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations. We support quality education outcomes for refugee, internally displaced and other crisis-affected girls and boys, so no one is left behind. ECW works through the multilateral system to both increase the speed of responses in crises and connect immediate relief and longer-term interventions through multi-year programming. ECW works in close partnership with governments, public and private donors, UN agencies, civil society organizations, and other humanitarian and development aid actors to increase efficiencies and end siloed responses. ECW urgently appeals to public and private sector donors for expanded support to reach even more vulnerable children and youth.

On X (formerly Twitter), please follow: @EduCannotWait, @YasmineSherif1, @KentPage
Additional information available at: www.educationcannotwait.org

For press inquiries:
Anouk Desgroseilliers, adesgroseilliers@un-ecw.org, +1-917-640-6820
Kent Page, kpage@unicef.org, +1-917-302-1735
For other inquiries: info@un-ecw.org