Improving reproductive health rights in Uganda

Thank you for supporting our Improving reproductive health rights in Uganda programme.

We celebrated Menstrual Hygiene Day. The theme of the event was ‘to educate, eradicate stigma and end period poverty’. To comply with COVID-19 restrictions and reach as many communities as possible we spread our programme activities and celebrations across the month of May. Participants included men, women, girls and boys. The programme was very interactive and included different activities all geared towards offering education and breaking the silence on menstrual health issues, 131 people attended.

This programme continues throughout the year and the content of our workshops includes 6 sessions – Growth and body changes – learning about puberty; Reproductive health – learning about the menstrual cycle, reproductive health systems and providing a safe space for participants to discuss related issues; Reusable sanitary kits – demonstration of reusable pads and how to make them using locally available materials; Challenges to menstrual health management – challenges faced by women and girls include the expense of buying sanitary towels for families already struggling with finances, lack of emotional support and understanding, lack of access to water, soap, pads, missing out on school and work every month and taboos within families and the communities around menstruation which cause further isolation and lack of support; Bracelet making - the menstruation bracelet is a global symbol for menstruation and a teaching tool with 28 sections made of beads or card to signify the menstrual cycle and Games and Sports – included to break barriers and highlight that periods shouldn’t inhibit women and girls in what they can do during their periods once they have the knowledge and support to manage them.

With the fresh new lock down being implemented in Uganda, Information on sexual andreproductive health (SRH) is anessential for girls to understandtheir bodies and make informedreproductive choices. However, in rural Teso, the proportion of youthwho have adequate knowledge onsexual and reproductive health(SRH issues) was only at 8 % (PlanInternational Uganda). Themajor challenge is the fact thatsuch matters are considered‘sacred’ or ‘taboo’ and should notbe discussed openly, but rathercommunicated through indirectlanguage or sayings. There is also afear that if SRH information is giventoo early – that is, before marriage –it will ‘spoil’ the girls and incite

them to inappropriate behavior.

Innovative programming is needed toaddress the multiple challenges facedby adolescent girls in Uganda. Each ofthese challenges inhibits a girl’sability to stay and excel in school,

make informed and healthy decisions,and realize her full potential. SCOEN’s SRHR Program was created to addressthese issues in a way that empowersand inspires girls to dream big. Thisprogram’s multi-faceted componentshelp to support, educate, and mentorgirls to overcome these challenges aswell as become active agents ofchange.

Girls and young women faced considerable challenges in accessing essential health information and services even before the crisis. Now, amid a pandemic that is straining even the strongest healthcare systems, there is a real risk that sexual and reproductive health and rights will be deprioritised, with devastating consequences.

School closures and lockdown measures are leading to a shadow pandemic of gender-based violence and rates of child marriage, teenage pregnancy and female genital mutilation are predicted to soar. Girls and young women will die because they cannot access vital sexual and reproductive health information and services. 

We know from past epidemics that a lack of access to essential health services due to a shutdown of services can ultimately cause more deaths than the epidemic itself.

You can help to consolidate reproductive health knowledge among rural communities targeting adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) to support demystification of Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) myths, misconceptions, increase awareness of SRHR.

Your support is key in solving this problem.Would you consider donating one-time gift of $100 or Monthly gift of $25 to help us to increase awareness of SRHR targeting AGYWs?

Your donation will have an impact on 3200 adolescent girls and young women and will be used to increase awareness of SRHR. Focusing on Family Planning, STIs, antenatal & postnatal services, use of modern contraceptives for dual protection against STIs & unwanted pregnancies among 3200 AGYW.

#StaySafe #COVID-19