Technical and vocational schools across the West Nile region are witnessing a remarkable rise in the number of girls stepping into fields once reserved for boys.

The development has partly been attributed to the adoption of gender-sensitive teaching by tutors over the past four years.  

Among institutions that have seen a significant increase in the enrolment of girls are St. Jude Omugo Skills Development Centre in Terego District, Inde Technical School in Madi Okollo District, and Lodonga Polytechnic School in Yumbe District.

Raphael Okaka, the deputy principal at Inde Technical School in Madi Okollo District, says the transformation at the school began when the Luigi Giussani Foundation, in partnership with Oxfam under the Danida-funded programme, introduced a holistic approach to improving learning environments for girls.

Okaka further notes that at least twenty girls have enrolled this year for courses such as welding, motor-vehicle mechanics, or electrical installation, which previously used to be dominated by boys.

Richard Luluga, the deputy principal at Omugo Skills Development Centre in Terego District, recounts how gender barriers were historically deeply rooted in technical and vocational schools where girls were in the past encouraged only toward courses like tailoring and garment cutting, Catering and Hotel Management, while courses like building or motor mechanics were considered male domains.   He appeals for a mindset change among the parents, especially on deep-rooted cultural beliefs that limit girls’ aspirations in education.