top of page

Rescue Women Foundation Presents
March For Life 

In Wakiso District, Uganda, silence and stigma are costing young women their lives. Teenage pregnancy, preventable maternal deaths, and period poverty keep girls out of school and mothers at risk. This November 2026, our NGO recipient Rescue Women Foundation is hosting "March for Life: Breaking the Silence" — a one-day, community-wide health and advocacy event.

Leaf Pattern Design

Problem Statement

Wakiso District is one of the most rapidly growing regions in Uganda, but its social and health infrastructure struggles to keep pace. Young girls, pregnant women, and children face severe, interconnected vulnerabilities.

Rampant Teenage Pregnancy & Stigma

Hundreds of young girls drop out of school annually due to unplanned pregnancies. Deep-seated cultural stigma prevents open conversations about reproductive health, leaving adolescents without guidance and vulnerable to exploitation.

Lack of Male Responsibility

Sexual and reproductive health is traditionally viewed as a "woman's issue," leaving men disengaged from family planning, maternal care, and paternal accountability.

Poverty & Malnutrition

Unemployed young mothers lack basic household income and nutritional security, driving them back into cycles of dependency and poverty.

Preventable Maternal & Infant Mortality

According to the UN Inter‑agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF/WHO) data, Uganda’s overall infant mortality rate (IMR) in 2024 was 36 per 1,000 live births. Many expectant young mothers lack access to basic antenatal care, prenatal imaging, and hygienic delivery supplies (Mama Kits), exposing them to high risks during childbirth. Furthermore, malaria remains a leading cause of pregnancy complications and infant mortality due to a shortage of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

Period Poverty

64% of female students in Uganda miss school regularly due to a lack of menstrual materials and inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. Only 22% of Ugandan girls have access to sanitary pads, forcing many to use dangerous, unhygienic alternatives like rags, old clothes, or even soil and paper. These challenges, along with the high cost of sanitary pads, impact girls’ ability stay in school and learn. Cultural stigma, myths, and misinformation about menstruation, further discourage girls from attending school during their periods.

Event Description

In many communities across Wakiso District, teenage pregnancies, untreated maternal health issues, and preventable diseases continue to claim lives and rob young women of their futures. Silence, stigma, and lack of essential health services fuel this cycle.

 

The "March for Life" health initiative under the theme "Breaking the Silence" is a holistic, life-saving campaign brings crucial healthcare, preventive education, male engagement, and sustainable economic training directly to the heart of the community.


Through a public march, integrated medical service camps, health supply distribution, educational talks, and urban agriculture workshops, this initiative will directly impact thousands of residents, transforming health outcomes and economic resilience across the Wakiso District.

One Day Event Activities

Public Advocacy March and Rally

  • A high-visibility peaceful march through major town centers in Wakiso District.

  • Equipped with placards and megaphones, local leaders will speak to raise public consciousness against teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, and maternal neglect.

Comprehensive Antenatal & Maternal Health Services

  • Ultrasound Scans: On-site pregnancy imaging conducted by certified technicians to detect complications early.

  • Antenatal Talks: Expert-led sessions covering proper nutrition, danger signs during pregnancy, and hospital delivery preparation.

  • Mama Kit Distribution: Provision of sterile, complete delivery kits to expectant mothers to ensure safe, infection-free childbirth.

  • Mosquito Net Distribution: Distribution of long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito nets to pregnant women and children for Malaria prevention.

  • Blood Donations: On-site donations to build up lifesaving blood supplies needed during childbirths and c-sections.

Economic Empowerment & Food Security

  • Mushroom Growing & Urban Farming Workshops: Hands-on training in high-yield, low-space agriculture (mushroom growing and sack gardening) to help young mothers generate household income and improve child nutrition.

​

Adolescent & Community Health Interventions

  • Dignity Kit Distribution (Sanitary Pads): Distribution of hygienic pads to young girls and adolescent mothers, alongside menstrual hygiene education.

  • Free Eye Check-Ups: Vision screening and basic optical treatment for children, women, and the elderly.

  • HIV Screening and Counseling: Onsite screening and information regarding prevention of HIV and medical treatments and precautions if infected.

Male Accountability Seminars

  • Dedicated workshops targeting men and young boys to redefine paternal responsibility, champion consent, support maternal care, and end domestic violence.

  • Discussions to eliminate misinformation and stigma surrounding women’s health.

bottom of page