Happy Girls Project

Hello Idealist community!

We are a grassroots community-led organization dedicated to ending period poverty in Uganda and empowering vulnerable Ugandan girls and women by supporting their education. We are based in Lake Bunyonyi, our paradise, in Southwest Uganda.

Did you know that, in Uganda, 1 out of 4 girls drops out of school because of their periods?

Our organization provides menstrual health education, access to menstrual hygiene products, and supports sustainable menstrual hygiene management practices. Our goal is to increase access to menstrual hygiene products and destigmatize menstruation in Uganda.

On the other hand, did you know that 1 out of 3 girls in Uganda is still married in childhood? And that more than half (56%) of women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical and/or sexual abuse? Uganda is ranked 131 (out of 170 countries) in the UN Gender Inequality Index Rank. 

These stats are not only terrifying, they are also revolting. This is why we run educational workshops to promote respectful relationships and prevent gender-based violence. We also provide a safe space for our girls and women to discuss what they are going through.

We have recently started a community-based tourism center led by women, with the aim to have more women working in the tourism industry in Uganda. All profits generated go to projects and to supporting women's education and who want to start their own business (through loans, mentoring, etc.).