Girls in Action

Empowering Girls in Communities Near Chimpanzee Habitats

Uganda is one of Africa’s most biologically rich countries, home to around 5,000 Eastern chimpanzees. Many live in the forests of the Albertine Rift in the west of the country, where human population growth and deforestation continue to threaten their survival.

The Jane Goodall Institute has worked in these areas for nearly 30 years using a community-led conservation model known as Tacare. This approach recognises that protecting wildlife and supporting local people must go hand in hand.

Through this model, JGI Uganda runs programmes that safeguard chimpanzee habitats while improving the wellbeing of nearby communities. One such initiative focuses on empowering girls by supporting access to education, reproductive health resources and leadership opportunities. When girls can stay in school and have control over their futures, entire communities thrive and the pressure on surrounding forests is reduced.

At the Jane Goodall Institute UK, we support this work by funding projects led by JGI Uganda. Together we are helping to create lasting change for people, wildlife and the environment they share.

Group of students and a woman standing outdoors in front of trees, holding books and notebooks.
Group of young girls in green shirts discussing health education, with a banner in the background and one girl seated with her back to the camera.

How Educating Girls in Rural Uganda Can Break the Poverty Cycle

In recent decades, Uganda has made important progress in reducing poverty. A key factor has been improving access to education for girls, particularly in rural areas where the need remains greatest.

While many cities have reached gender parity in primary education, girls from the poorest rural communities are still less likely to complete school than boys. With support from JGI Austria, JGI Australia and other partners, the Jane Goodall Institute Uganda runs programmes to change this.

Supporting girls through adolescence
Nearly one in four Ugandan girls aged 12 to 18 drops out of school when menstruation begins. JGI Uganda provides reusable sanitary pads, underwear and school supplies, helping girls stay in school and avoid early marriage or pregnancy.

Improving reproductive health education
Female students and teachers receive training on reproductive health. Peer counsellors are also trained to support and educate fellow students.

Bringing environmental learning to schools
JGI Uganda develops classroom resources to teach pupils about climate change and conservation.

Building confidence through sport
New girls’ team sports programmes help boost confidence and encourage school retention.

Our Contribution
Since 2022, the Jane Goodall Institute UK has helped fund this work, supporting girls to stay in school and shape their own futures.

A classroom session with students in navy blue uniforms with white text, attending a seminar on a girls' empowerment project in Uganda. A student is presenting at the front, with posters and a large sign about supporting schoolgirls during their grow
Young athletes running on a track field with two women, possibly coaches or teachers, encouraging them, outdoors on a grassy field with trees and a brick wall in the background.
Group of seven people, including children and an adult woman, standing outdoors under trees, holding pamphlets and books, some wearing green shirts with text, one person waving, in a rural setting.

Help turn hope into action

For 35 years, the Jane Goodall Institute UK has been spreading hope and turning it into meaningful positive impact to create a better world for people, other animals and the planet we share.

If you would like to turn hope into action, please support our work.