Conflict devastated the education sector in Northern Uganda: schools were vandalised and many teachers, especially females, fled. A lack of female teachers, combined with overcrowded classrooms, poor sanitation facilities and the risk of abuse at or on the way to school, mean that fewer girls go to school than boys – and many of those that do enrol drop out. In Lira district, only 31% of girls complete primary education. However, the benefits of girls' education are widely acknowledged.

School Mothers, selected from local communities, will work to improve girls’ education outcomes, through:(1) visiting girls in school on a weekly basis, building trusting relationships, and giving guidance and training e.g. on gender, health and making sanitary towels;(2) visiting guardians of out-of-school girls to promote the value of education; and (3) working with communities to change attitudes towards girls’ education. They will provide a strong link between girls, communities and schools.