There is hope that gender justice, sexual reproductive health, and rights (SRHR) initiatives in Uganda will enjoy wider acceptance by having young people act as “envoys.”
The youths in the Rwenzori region of Uganda are taking the lead in this by forming groups and preaching the SRHR and gender justice gospel, rehabilitating school dropouts and drug and alcohol abusers, mostly aged between 10 and 24 years.
Mary Karungi, 22, of Kaguma village, received training in sensitizing and mobilizing young people about their sexuality, reproductive health rights, and how to avoid emergency situations caused by unplanned sex encounters.
This was after several young people in her village, some of whom were under the age of 18, became pregnant, married, and dropped out of school.
She believes that the time has come for young people to take the lead in educating others about the dangers of unplanned sex, pregnancy, and marriage.
“We are doing some work in the villages, we talk to young people about body changes and how to act when they manifest, use family planning for those who are sexually active, and also demystify the negative norms and values that encourage teenage pregnancy and early marriages,” Karungi said.
In the last three months, Karungi has reached out to 86 young people in her village.
Rachael Mbonabana, Kicwamba Health Youth Development Group Chairperson in Kabarole district, says more than 800 young people have been approached by their group of 12 members. They go to schools, churches, mosques, playgrounds, and other communal gatherings with a message about positive living by empowering youths to claim their SRHR and gender justice. They also offer free condom distribution, sexuality education, and other messages promoting positive gender equality norms and values.
But Hassan Sebugwaawo, a Right Here Right Now-2 coalition (RHRN-2) project officer for Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) in the Rwenzori region, says 144 young people in 12 groups of 12 young people each were empowered to saturate the gospel of gender justice, equality, and SRHR among young people.
Youth of Destiny is another young people’s group in Fort Portal City, Kabarole district, making strides towards emancipating young people about their SRHR and gender equality positive norms and values.
Brain Murungi, a spokesperson for Youth of Destiny, said they have rehabilitated a formerly 12-year-old girl who had been married off during the COVID-19 lockdown and a former school dropout, a boy. The two are now studying at Mukungwe primary school. The girl enrolled in family planning because she is sexually active.
Claire Kagaaju, a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) Chairperson embraces SRHR and Gender justice training for young people that is accelerating the spread of SRHR and gender equality messages in a more diversified manner among young people in Tooro region.
Dr. Peter Ibembe, (RHU), Director of Programs, grins with optimism that when more skills are continually imparted to youths regarding gender justice and SRHR, several young people will avoid early sex, pregnancy, and marriage and live a better and more meaningful life. The youths are trained in positioning themselves in various working groups in the public and private sector to push for access to SRHR, gender justice, and family planning methods, including the use of contraceptives.
Jackson Chekweko, RHU Executive Director, believes young people should continue to receive training from SRHR and gender justice professionals on communication, resource mobilization, and advocacy techniques. The youth envoys will then use these skills to lead discussions among local, religious, and cultural leaders to change bad norms and values affecting gender equality, SRHR, and justice.
“Emphasis to the youths is geared towards firming up civil society, so we work in coalition, to have the participation of not only youths, but also religious leaders and community leaders to push acceptance that takes into account the social, cultural, and religious contexts and work with an understanding of that to develop programs and activities even in rural areas of the country,” said Jackson Chekweko.
The RHRN-2 coalition comprises seven members including Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), SRHR Alliance, Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), Hope Mbale, CEHURD, Reach a Hand Uganda (RAHU), and UNYPA.
Aldon Walukamba G, the author, is the RHU Media Advocacy and Documentation Coordinator.
