Skilled and Unstoppable: The Young Women Rebuilding Their Lives One Brick at a Time

The sun blazes fiercely at 11:00 a.m. as Judith Kyomugisha, just 18 years old, stands atop a building under construction in Uganda's Kasese district. Sweat glistens on her forehead as she carefully arranges the woodwork, preparing to start the roofing of a house she has helped build from the ground up. In Muhokya, women working on construction sites is unheard of. But Judith and her 20-year-old friend, Jennifer Nakayemba, have defied societal expectations, proving that women can excel in trades traditionally dominated by men.

Judith’s story is one of resilience, determination, and self-reliance. She dropped out of school in primary four due to financial constraints, and for years her future seemed uncertain. But in 2023, she heard about an initiative by the Refugee Law Project aimed at skilling young women and girls to reduce their vulnerability to violent extremism. For Judith, this was a lifeline. “From childhood, I loved construction work and admired those who did it. When this opportunity came, I was eager to take it up,” she recalls. The prospect of climbing to the top of buildings and working alongside men was daunting at first, but the support from her trainer and her own determination made it possible. “At first, I was scared and uncertain if I would manage, especially climbing on top of the building, but my trainer was good, which made it easy to learn the skills,” Judith says.

Jennifer was also eager to learn and defy the norms that placed limitations on women’s roles. “Men sometimes despise us, saying they cannot live in a house built by women. But when you know what you want, you set your mind on that,” Jennifer explains. Despite the challenges they face—both on the job and in their community—the two young women are carving out a space for themselves in the construction industry.

With funding from the Government of Norway, UN Women supported Refuge Law Project to implement initiatives that offer second chance education opportunities and skills development, offering young women like Judith and Jennifer a way to support themselves and contribute to their communities. The training program they completed is empowering them to make a living. Judith earns 15,000 UGX daily (about $5) which has allowed her to support her mother and provide for herself. “I can't be easily lured by boys now," she says, her voice ringing with pride and a newfound confidence. "I can provide for myself." 

Their instructor, Hamidu Masereka,  recognizes the talent and dedication of Judith and Jennifer, noting that they are just as capable—if not more so—than the young men he also trains. “I have young men working on my construction sites, but I’ve noted that the young women are equally good at their job. They are fast, they listen to instruction, and this gives me confidence to keep them on my team,” he affirms.

Their success is a reminder that when young women are given the tools and the opportunity to thrive, they can break down the barriers that limit them. Jennifer urges other girls to embrace opportunities for skill-building, regardless of societal expectations. “Don’t despise any opportunity that aims at skilling. Don’t focus on the comments from others because they can distract you from your goal,” she advises.