www.jesuits.africa JCAM 2022 Annual Review 09 Why should we be concerned? Every child has the right to a safe, formal, quality education and people to build a hope-filled future. ” We were further guided by access to lifelong learning. Education is a tool by which girls are the Vatican II’s document, Gaudium et Spes #1, which reminds us empowered to exercise their agency, make their voice heard, and that“ the joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the access their first leadership opportunities. Being out of school people of this age, especially those who are poor or in any way doesn’t just have devastating consequences for girls’ life afflicted, these are the joys and hopes, the griefs and anxieties of opportunities – it places them at risk of teen pregnancy, child the followers of Christ.” marriage, female genital mutilation and other forms of gender-based violence. Education is critical in tackling harmful gender norms, and empowering girls to drive change. It gives girls the skills to become leaders, innovators and change makers, and to tackle future crises. We, at JENA, have heeded the call of the second universal apostolic preference of the Jesuits that invites us to “walk with the poor…and those whose dignity has been violated, in the mission of reconciliation and justice. When we looked at the situation of the girls whose life’s dreams are being curtailed by violence and denial St. Francis Xavier Modern, BPE partner - of the right to education, we heard the invitation to respond to the students in a computer science class. third universal apostolic preference to “walk together with young Adumi, BPE partner - beneficiaries in Arua Diocese, Uganda.