Iceland Partners with UNICEF to Empower Adolescent Mothers in Uganda

The Embassy of Iceland in Kampala and UNICEF have signed a $1 million agreement to empower vulnerable adolescent mothers by providing multi-sectoral and inclusive social protection, early childhood development (ECD), and parenting support services.

This 18-month partnership will enable UNICEF to connect teenage mothers with services in protection, health, education, childcare, and skills development. It will also offer mentorship and life skills, support low-cost ECD models in targeted communities, and establish mobile ECD units and disability-inclusive kits to facilitate early learning for children in hard-to-reach areas.

Speaking at the signing event, Hildigunnur Engilbertsdóttir, Head of Mission at the Embassy of Iceland in Uganda, highlighted the program’s financial support component for beneficiary children.
“Iceland is committed to empowering young mothers by helping them learn, acquire skills, and protect themselves from harmful practices. This conditional cash transfer is tied to the adolescent mother’s participation in education and her child’s involvement in ECD interventions, including early learning at ECD centers for children aged 3-5 years and referrals to childcare services for children aged 0-2 years. We believe these cash transfers will ease the burden on young mothers by enabling access to childcare services, allowing them to return to school or seek employment,” she said.

Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative to Uganda, emphasized the partnership’s potential to accelerate progress for children:
“This agreement symbolizes the shared commitment of UNICEF and the Icelandic Government to prioritize the needs of children and communities in Uganda. With Iceland’s generous support, we can scale up efforts to tackle critical challenges, strengthen systems, and drive lasting change for adolescent mothers and their children. Every child deserves a fair chance at a brighter future, and today’s partnership moves us closer to achieving that goal.”

The grant will prioritize vulnerable adolescent mothers (aged 12-19) and their children (aged 0-5) in Kyegegwa and Kikuube districts in Uganda’s Western Region. It ensures access to multi-sectoral social protection, ECD, and parenting support services.

Key initiatives include:

• Supporting 1,000 adolescent mothers to return to school or acquire vocational skills.
• Providing formal and non-formal early childhood care and education for 2,000 children.
• Training 1,200 adolescent mothers in parenting.
• Screening 7,000 children for disabilities and developmental delays.
• Registering the births of 1,000 children.

The program will focus on linking teenage mothers to holistic services in protection, health, education, childcare, and skilling. It will also promote innovative, low-cost ECD models and equip caregivers with positive parenting and child development skills to strengthen family and community resilience.

With this funding, UNICEF and Iceland aim to empower communities with tools and resources to secure a better future for children in Uganda, supporting the country’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Since 2019, the Embassy of Iceland in Kampala and UNICEF have collaborated to improve access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools and health facilities in refugee-hosting districts of Uganda, building a strong foundation for this new partnership.