Every Child Should Have the Opportunity to Succeed: Brenda Apeta GRÓ GEST Alumna
"To the current fellows, congratulations! Winning the GRÓ GEST fellowship is an incredible opportunity,"
Brenda Apeta GRÓ Gender Equality Studies and Training Programme alumna from Uganda is driven by the commitment that all children should have the same opportunities to succeed, regardless of their gender. Throughout her career she has been dedicated to advancing gender equality and inclusive education, particularly in early childhood education and literacy. Brenda agreed to share how her participation in the GRÓ GEST programme has helped her promote gender equality in her home country Uganda, as well as to navigate obstacles and build greater confidence. Under Brenda’s leadership GRÓ GEST and Pangea have also collaborated on holding short courses in Uganda on Teaching Gender to Youth, targeted at teachers and education administrators since 2023 to date. Over 250 teachers and administrators have been trained in Gulu and Imvepi Refugee Settlement.
Brenda is the first woman to lead the organisation Pangea, where she has led initiatives such as Teaching Gender Short Course and Project Backpack, an early grade reading initiative that leverages technology, community support, and personalized learning to accelerate children's reading abilities. The program has shown remarkable success, with children reading up to 16 times faster than the average child. Brenda’s work spans curriculum development, teacher training, and education in humanitarian contexts, with a focus on fostering inclusive learning environments that promote gender equality. Today she is pursuing a PhD in Gender at Makerere University.
Education plays a pivotal role in advancing gender equality
Brenda took part in the GRÓ GEST programme in 2020 where she completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Gender Equality Studies. She focused her final assignment on education in the Imvepi refugee camp and the need to equip primary teachers in gender responsive pedagogy. Work that she has continued after returning home. Brenda says Uganda’s refugees’ settlements have a critical need to address gender-related challenges in education.
“Uganda is home to the highest number of refugees in Africa, and the transition rate of children in refugee settlements from lower to upper primary is alarmingly low, with 29% of children dropping out by the time they reach primary 6. The dropout rate worsens especially for girls when they attempt to transition to secondary school, and gender-related issues play a major role in this disparity.
In the refugee context, many children drop out due to factors like early pregnancy, early marriage, and the need to contribute to household activities such as farming. These challenges are deeply tied to gender norms, which are often exacerbated by the trauma of growing up in conflict and post-conflict environments. Children in these areas frequently see gender inequality and violence as normal, which significantly impacts their engagement with education.
I chose this topic because I wanted to equip teachers with the skills and knowledge to address these issues effectively. Educators in refugee and post-conflict settings play a vital role in changing these narratives. By providing teachers with gender-responsive pedagogy, we can create a classroom environment that challenges harmful gender norms, supports children in overcoming the barriers they face, and promotes gender equality. This approach is crucial in ensuring that all children — regardless of their gender — have the opportunity to succeed and transition through the education system, even in challenging circumstances,” says Brenda.
Transformative to learn about how to overcome imposter syndrome
Another Ugandan alumna, Adong Harriet, who attended the programme in 2017, told Brenda about the programme. “I thought it presented an opportunity to learn from a country that has been number 1 in gender equality for quite a while. How best can one learn best practices if not to experience from the number one country”?
Brenda says the training has had a profound impact on both her personal development and the work she does in her organization. “One of the key things I learned through the program was about imposter syndrome, a challenge that often hindered my ability to fully embrace my potential. Understanding this phenomenon has been transformative, enabling me to identify it and know how to overcome self-sabotage and continue pushing forward in my career. This newfound self-awareness has been crucial in helping me navigate obstacles and build greater confidence in my work.
Additionally, the training has allowed me to advocate for and implement gender-responsive programs within my organization. I have conducted professional development sessions focused on gender inclusivity, particularly in the areas of program design and curriculum development, ensuring that gender equality and equity are integrated into all aspects of our work.
The course on Gender, Environment, and Climate Change was particularly impactful. During this unit, I had the privilege of meeting the renowned writer Andri Snær Magnason, whose work inspired me to take action. As a result, I published two children's books—Broken and The Messy Visitor—which explore the effects of climate change on children’s lives and highlight the importance of including children in conversations about the environment. These books aim to raise awareness in my community about climate issues and encourage dialogue that involves young voices.
When I first joined the program, I was keen to improve my proposal-writing skills, and the program delivered in this regard. The enhanced skills I gained have been invaluable, especially in grant writing, which is central to the work I do. The ability to craft more compelling and well-structured proposals has greatly supported the growth and sustainability of the projects I lead, including those related to gender, education, and climate change,” says Brenda.
United by a shared passion for gender issues
Like many GRÓ alumni, Brenda can vividly remember the Icelandic climate and the stark contrast to her home country Uganda. „I remember my first day in Iceland like it was yesterday—mostly because I almost froze to death. It was my first time leaving Africa and stepping into a place where the wind could practically knock you over, and let’s just say, it wasn’t exactly warm. I was seeing snow for the first time, which was magical, but I wasn't quite prepared for how cold it could actually be.
What really threw me off, though, was how dark it was at around 9am. Imagine being in a place where it's pitch black and you're wondering, “Wait, is it still bedtime?” Iceland was a whole new world—white snow, rocks, and just a very long stretch of everything being covered in snow. It was like the start of an adventure movie, but the adventure was mostly me trying to stay warm.
Now, let’s talk about the people in my cohort! The GEST programme really pulled together an extraordinary group of young, intelligent, and passionate people. I still remember one of our first sessions where Gideon Adjei-Mawutor gave a presentation on philosophy. I sat there thinking, “Whoa, I’m clearly not on his intellectual level!” Imposter syndrome kicked in, and for a moment, I was wondering if I had been accidentally selected for the programme. But then I realized—this was the beauty of the program. Everyone had their own unique perspective, and the diversity of minds was absolutely inspiring. I loved how we all came from different parts of the world, united by a shared passion for gender issues and a desire to make change in our communities.
The classes were a great mix of learning and unlearning—thanks to my classmates, I was constantly challenged in the best way possible. When COVID-19 hit and we switched to virtual learning, I really missed the in-person energy. Zoom just couldn’t match the same vibe, and it was tough, but we persevered and kept each other safe. It wasn’t easy, but we got through it.
One of the best parts of the program, though, was the inspiring and engaging guest visitors. They brought so much life to the courses, and I’d never had such an experience in any of my previous academic experiences. It felt like a masterclass in how to bring theory to life. Oh, and I got to visit an Icelandic high school where I shared the Ugandan experience of striving for gender equality. That was a memorable moment—comparing snowy Iceland to sunny Uganda while talking about gender equality? Priceless.
But let’s not forget the real task at hand—completing the course in just five months. It was definitely a rollercoaster ride, but with determination (and a lot of kleina), it was totally doable. The whole experience was truly unforgettable, and despite the cold and occasional imposter syndrome, I’m so grateful for every moment,” says Brenda.
GRÓ GEST: Challenging but unforgettable experience
She says her most vivid memory from Iceland was receiving the Vigdis Finnbogadottir Award at the graduation, presented for the best final assignment. “That was completely unexpected. As I mentioned earlier, my class was filled with brilliant minds, and everyone had such amazing projects. I never imagined I’d win. But as they say, hard work pays off. When I heard my name called, I was overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude. That moment will always be one of my greatest accomplishments and will stay with me forever.
The road trips out of Reykjavik to the South and North are definitely up there. Iceland is beautiful; it felt like it had waterfalls at every corner. Every time I saw one, I couldn't help but think, Wow, this country is blessed with dark grey skies and nature that’s somehow both harsh and beautiful.
Then there was my first (and likely last) roller coaster ride in Iceland. Let’s just say, I may have left my heart somewhere between the first drop and the loop-de-loop. I was screaming like I was auditioning for a role in a horror movie. The ride was packed with kids who, of course, were all chill about it... except for Esther Namitala and me. We screamed so loudly. I probably left pieces of my soul in the air, but hey, at least I got a bird’s-eye view of Reykjavik, which was totally worth it.
Oh, and the Northern Lights. Wow, just wow. I remember Nadia Damandi Tarang and I running to the roof like a couple of kids on Christmas morning, trying not to miss the magical display. It was like the universe was putting on a show just for us. (And for the rest of the people who were smart enough to be awake at that hour.)
Then there were the house parties. Whether it was a birthday, Eid, or Easter celebrations, they were the perfect way to unwind after a long day of intellectual pursuits. But the best part? The send-off dinners for those lucky enough to have countries that opened their borders. There was something bittersweet about them—tears were definitely involved, but so was good food, great company, and a whole lot of memories.
And how could I forget graduation? The moment we all let loose in the parking lot at 2am (when it was bright enough to be noon). We were dancing like nobody was watching, and, honestly, nobody was because we were all too busy celebrating the fact that we survived five months of intense academic work in the midst of the world shutting down. It was a perfect, chaotic, and beautiful ending to a challenging but unforgettable experience,” says Brenda.
Brenda says she is still in touch with other fellows from her group. Especially the Ugandan fellows but also others, from other countries. “We have our WhatsApp group where we keep updated with each other’s achievements and celebrate each other. I also got to meet other GRÓ GEST Ugandan fellows in the occasional meet ups and also on the WhatsApp group.”
Brenda has plenty of recommendations for current GRÓ fellows: “To the current fellows, congratulations! Winning the GRÓ GEST fellowship is an incredible opportunity. Once the excitement of being in Iceland settles in, I encourage you to hit the ground running—five months go by faster than you think. Your classmates are a huge asset, so don’t hesitate to ask for feedback on your work. Their insights will make your work even stronger. After the program, you’ll join a network of passionate people dedicated to addressing gender issues. Use this connection to keep making a positive impact in your community.”