According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (2016), 25 percent of girls aged between 15-19 years are already mothers and adolescents aged between 15-19 contributed 17.6 percent of pregnancy-related deaths. The same survey reported that 44 percent of Uganda’s annual 7, 200 maternal deaths are females aged between 15-24 years.
This dangerous trend is largely attributed to lack of information about and actual access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services, which is compounded by service point discrimination especially for the rural poor as well as unmet family planning needs for adolescents (15-19 years) among others. With over 15 million school-going children and youths all now at home for over five months due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the situation has been made worse, with a reported increase of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) especially sexual violence.
To respond to these challenges as well as equip young people, especially those aged 15-24 years with information, knowledge, and skills to counter Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) challenges, SRHR Alliance Uganda in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), and Straight Talk Foundation (STF) have launched a television campaign, dubbed “Health and Life skills education program” on NTV Uganda, one of the largest broadcasters.
According to Charles Owekmeno the National Coordinator –SRHR Alliance, the initiative is part of a broader media campaign that the consortium is conducting to increase awareness about sexuality education among parents and young people.
“The campaign is meant to influence positive attitudes and perceptions towards young people’s access to sexuality education among stakeholders. It will also provide, opening points for parents to create discussions with their children on sexual health issues and overall wellbeing,” said Mr. Owekmeno in an interview with CEO East Africa.
The campaign which started airing on 31st August 2020 will run on weekdays for two weeks, until September 14th, 2020.
“Information is power; this campaign is meant to help school-going adolescents and young people who are currently at home to access important sexual reproductive information. While at home young people are reported to be exposed to many challenges including sexual violence, teenage pregnancy, mental health trauma, risk of sexually transmitted infections, and risky relationships. The campaign seeks to provide accurate information on how young people can cope with these challenges or avoid them,” further explained Mr. Owekmeno.
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A recent report by a global media research firm, Ipsos shows that the percentage of people watching TV went up from 28% in 2019 to 38% in 2019. A July 2020 report also showed that more importantly, 46% of Ugandan audiences reported consuming more television during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Traditionally the youth rely on radio and television more for news and information. A 2018 Ipsos survey showed that up to 40% of the youth between 15-24 years, watch TV, up from 32% in 2014 and that majority TV viewing is done more at home, with siblings and parents.
“Over 15 million of Uganda’s population are school going and with the lockdown restrictions including the closure of all schools and learning institutions, these remain within their homesteads. This provides a good opportunity to reach the target audience including young people and their parents among other stakeholders with sexuality education information,” said Owekmeno.
The Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Alliance Uganda is a consortium of like-minded organizations formed based on a multi-component approach and comparative advantage on the different aspects of their SRHR programming. The current membership of the alliance is comprised of: Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), Straight Talk Foundation (STF), Family Life Education Program (FLEP), Centre for Health Human Rights & Development (CEHURD), Uganda Network of Young People Living with HIV and AIDS (UNYPA), Restless Development (RD) and National Forum of People Living with HIV and AIDS Networks in Uganda (NAFOPHANU).
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