The Government of Norway committed to investing in Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in Uganda
We are thrilled to inform you that Marie Stopes Uganda together with partners UNFPA Uganda and CARE International in Uganda have been awarded a new grant dubbed “My Body, My Life, My World,” geared towards empowering girls and women to decide over their bodies and ensure access to comprehensive adolescent and youth friendly sexual reproductive health information and services.
The project which is slated to commence in January 2023 will run until 2025 and it will be implemented in two high sexual reproductive health-burdened districts of Kamuli and Mayuge in Eastern Uganda.
While signing the Memorandum of Understanding for the project on Tuesday 6th December 2022 in Kampala, Elin Ostebo Johansen, the Norwegian Ambassador said that many young people in Uganda lack the knowledge they need to make responsible decisions about their sexual reproductive health. “It makes them vulnerable to violence, child marriage, and unplanned teenage pregnancy. Norway is committed to supporting Uganda to achieve its goals of reducing child marriage and teenage pregnancies through access to sexual reproductive health services and the primary target beneficiaries are young people aged 10-24 years” she added.
According to the UNFPA factsheet on teenage pregnancy (2021), Eastern Uganda was among the regions that recorded the highest teenage rates in Uganda. The research conducted indicated that Kamuli district recorded 6,535 and Mayuge 6,205 teenage pregnancies.
Dr Carole Sekimpi, the Senior Country Director at Marie Stopes Uganda thanked the Norwegian government for investing in Uganda at a time when the impact of Covid-19 is still high. “Sexual reproductive health needs of young people remain largely unmet in the aftermath of Covid19. Uganda registered the highest numbers of teenage pregnancies during covid-19 and this project comes at a time when we need to them improve their sexual reproductive health, long-term knowledge, and empower them to make informed choices around their health and well-being” she added.
“Marie Stopes Uganda is committed to this partnership and will continue working with UNFPA Uganda, and CARE International in Uganda to ensure an increase in the Utilization of sexual reproductive health services among girls and women in Kamuli and Mayuge districts,” said Marie Stopes’ Senior Country Director.
Let’s all work together towards a Uganda where every young person can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
