Iceland contributes over sh3.6b to empower adolescent mothers

An agreement worth over sh3.6 b ($1 million) has been signed between the Embassy of Iceland in Kampala and UNICEF to empower vulnerable adolescent mothers in western Uganda.

The funding will provide adolescent mothers with access to cross-cutting inclusive social protection, early childhood development, and parenting support services. For 18 months, UNICEF will link adolescent mothers to protection, health, education, childcare and skilling services.

The adolescent mothers will also be provided mentorship and life skills and supported with low-cost early childhood education (ECD).

Furthermore, UNICEF will establish mobile ECD units and disability-inclusive ECD kits to provide early learning opportunities for children in hard-to-reach communities.

Through this initiative, 1,000 adolescent mothers will be supported to return to school or acquire vocational skills, while 2,000 of their children will benefit from formal and non-formal early childhood care and education services. 

They will also benefit from mentorship, including referrals to other essential social services.

In addition, 1,200 adolescent mothers will be trained in parenting 7,000 children to be screened for disabilities and developmental delays, and 1,000 children’s birth will be registered.

The Head of Mission, Embassy of Iceland to Uganda, Hildigunnur Engilbertsdóttir, at the signing event on Friday, November 29, said the program will extend financial support to each beneficiary child monthly.

Engilbertsdóttir says Iceland is committed to empowering young mothers in Uganda to enable them to learn, acquire skills, and be protected from harmful practices.

“This conditional cash transfer is linked to the adolescent mother’s participation in learning and her child’s involvement in ECD interventions, including ECD centres and early learning for children aged three to five years and referral to childcare services for children aged zero to two years.

“We strongly believe that these cash transfers will alleviate a young mother’s burden by supporting access to childcare services so she can return to school or seek employment,” Engilbertsdóttir said.

Dr Robin Nandy, the UNICEF Representative to Uganda, highlighted the importance of the partnership in accelerating progress for children.

Nandy said the agreement signifies the shared commitment of UNICEF and the Icelandic Government to prioritise the needs of children and communities in Uganda.

“With Iceland’s generous support, we will be able to scale up our efforts to address critical challenges, strengthen systems, and create lasting change for adolescent mothers and their children.

The funding provided through this grant will prioritise support for vulnerable adolescent mothers aged 12-19 years and their children aged 0-5 years in Kyegegwa and Kikuube districts, in the Western Region of Uganda, ensuring access to multi-sectoral and inclusive social protection, ECD, and parenting support services.

By linking teenage mothers to protection, health, education, childcare, and skilling services, the initiative seeks to provide holistic and sustainable solutions.

Support will also focus on innovative, low-cost ECD models and equipping carers with skills in positive parenting and child development, further strengthening family and community resilience.

With this funding, UNICEF and Iceland aim to empower communities with the tools and resources they need to create a better future for children in Uganda by investing in innovative approaches and community-driven solutions aimed at contributing to Uganda’s achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.