In Kotido District, the path to education is often blocked by the harsh realities of poverty, household responsibilities, and the social pressure for girls to marry early. As the LC1 Chairperson and leader of the Kacheri Integrated Women Network, Leya Rose watched countless girls drop out of school, forced into domestic labor or marriage, yet she admitted that she, like many others, had not fully grasped the devastating long-term consequences these actions had on the community’s future.
Her perspective underwent a profound transformation after she participated in community dialogues and training sessions under the Women’s Amplified Voice for Accountability (WAVA) Project. The sessions served as an eye-opener, connecting the dots between girls’ education, the harmful effects of early marriage and community development. For the first time, Leya visualized how educated girls could become powerful agents of change within their own households.
“The training opened my eyes. I realized that when girls are educated, they can achieve their dreams and contribute to the community. I knew I had to act,” Leya explains.
Driven by this fresh conviction, Leya understood that advocacy must begin at home. She ensured her own daughters remained in school, setting a precedent for her community. She then took her message to the village, organizing study groups, mentoring parents, and speaking boldly at village meetings. Her leadership has yielded tangible results, she has successfully intervened to keep over 20 girls in school, shielding them from the pressures of early marriage.
“I want every girl to have the opportunities I could not access. Education is the key to transforming lives,” she says.
Today, Leya has evolved from a leader who simply watched the challenges unfold to one who actively rewrites the script for the girls in her village. She collaborates with schools and local leaders to monitor attendance, using her platform to ensure that the right to education is not just a discussion point but a reality for the girl child. Through the WAVA Project, FOWODE is turning local leaders into active advocates for social change, equipping
