Reducing risk of gender-based violence through skills training in Uganda

The Girls Women Lead is a three-year project implemented by ARUWE in Wakiso District, Central Uganda. It aims to build community resilience and protect girls and young women from teenage pregnancies, early marriages, sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and HIV/STI infections.

The project aims to:

• increase community awareness and stakeholder support for prevention of teenage pregnancies, early marriages and SGBV
• increase access to affordable and quality sexual and reproductive health rights services through utilization of the ARUWE safe space and other referral mechanisms
• increase employment opportunities amongst female teens and teenage mothers for improved incomes and livelihoods.

One particularly successful venture has been to train women in the production of charcoal briquettes, an alternative fuel source made from crop residue. They provide families with a low-cost cooking fuel, while income from the sale of briquettes gives survivors of sexual and gender-based violence the financial autonomy and self-esteem to regain control of their lives.

Charcoal briquettes have the added benefit of decreasing the destruction of trees that are often used for fuel. The project also aligns with ARUWE’s goal to “empower women and girls to claim their environmental rights and engage in climate conversations.” 

ARUWE notes: “We create awareness on climate change, promote renewable and clean energy technologies, build capacities of women farmers in climate resilient agricultural techniques, support women and girls to invest in climatic change businesses.”

Production began in 2023 with a 10-day training course. Briquettes are made from crop reside. By 2024, the production group had made sales of UGX 3,482,000 ($1,392). And in 2025, the briquette-making enterprise expanded with new tools and a marketing strategy to promote eco-friendly energy solutions.