Revista de SIDA e investigación clínica

The Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Status of Young People in Uganda: The Rationale for Continued Youth Focused Investment

Abstract

Dlamini BR, Tagoola FM, Mutalya KC, Odaga J, Christiansen M, Najjemba M, Mukasa P, Nalikka I and Ogolla R

Background: In light of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), young people, especially the 10-24-yearold, are the core population. Considering the world is home to 1.8 billion 10-24-year olds they will determine if the SDG agenda is achieved or not. Whilst Uganda has more than 12 million of this population group, Uganda can harness the power of this number, by translating the positive policy environment into meaningful and inclusive sexual reproductive health and rights programs. The aim of this retrospective analysis is to provide a comprehensive and cross-sectoral picture of the SRHR Status of Young People in Uganda in light of the enabling policy environment.

Methods: The analysis of the sexual reproductive health and rights status of young people in Uganda was prepared in stages: desk review and analysis, interview with key stakeholders, data analysis and compilation of the report.

Results: Despite the positive policy environment for reproductive health programming for young people; early motherhood is high at 25%. The prevalence of HIV among adolescent girls is four times that of male adolescents. Child marriage remains the most significant driver of teenage pregnancy in rural communities in Uganda. The risk of unsafe abortions is estimated to account for 28% maternal deaths annually in Uganda. This has led to lifetime opportunity costs resulting from adolescent pregnancy to an estimated 30% of the country’s annual GDP.

Conclusion: There seems to be some improvement in total adolescent birth rates and teen pregnancies. This suggests that some interventions may have dissuaded some adolescents from sexual intercourse.

Recommendations: Innovate and inclusive AYSRHR programming. Policy makers, programmers, donors and development partners should meaningfully and truthfully operationalize “Nothing for Us without Us Principle”. The “Young in hearts” youth should open space for the real youth to provide their inputs into policies and program, especially those targeting them. If we are to change the course of the journey and harness the demographic dividend, there is need to be practical and deliberate in engaging young people in programming not as beneficiaries but as equal stakeholders.