By Muganga Mark Kasiita (Twitter @Kasiitamark)
The intersections between COVID-19 and tuberculosis become obvious when we understand that both diseases present as potentially fatal respiratory ailments with a nagging cough and high fever as symptoms. This presents a problem because, as Mumba states, “TB patients are stigmatized because they are presumed to have Coronavirus disease.” Also, the pre-existing stigma that TB patients were presumed to be HIV-positive has meant that large numbers have shied away from seeking treatment in the first place. This untracked and untreated “invisible population” of TB patients was highly at risk of contracting the novel Coronavirus because of their respiratory problems. The stigma around HIV, TB, and COVID-19 are compounding and scaring people away from the necessary health-seeking behavior that is required for them to be tested and treated and for further spread to be prevented. Yet many countries’ quarantine protocols are fatally flawed, Mumba warned, in that all suspected COVID-19 cases are corralled together in communal sleeping and eating spaces, which dramatically raises the risk of people with respiratory and other underlying health conditions contracting the novel Coronavirus.
Nine African countries have achieved a reported 100% of their known HIV-positive TB patients being on antiretrovirals – Comoros, Egypt, Gabon, Libya, Mauritania, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, and Tunisia – while another 20 countries have achieved in the 90-percentiles. This would bode well for addressing the comorbidities between HIV, TB, and COVID-19 – but the caveat is that this generally solid result (though 14 countries fall under 81%) stands on the shoulders of a much patchier continental achievement record of the percentage of people living with HIV who are on ART in the first place: some countries have a shockingly low showing, including Madagascar (9%), Sudan (15%), and South Sudan (16%) as can be seen in the accompanying scorecards. Additionally, TB mortality is exceptionally high in Lesotho, South Africa, and Namibia – all countries where epidemiologists have warned COVID-19 may entrench itself because of these pre-existing frailties.
ABORTION: THE INAUDIBLE KILLER
Abortion continues to constitute a serious public health, human rights and social equity issue that affect millions of women in sub-Saharan Africa, causing 29,000 deaths annually. Of the 6.4 million cases of abortion in Africa carried out in 2013 for instance, only 3% were safe. One quarter of unsafe abortions occurred among adolescents aged 15-19, and 60% were among women under age 25. Additionally, unsafe abortion accounts for 13% of global maternal deaths and up to 40% of maternal mortality in African countries. Young and poor women are mostly affected by both short-term and long-term consequences from un safe abortion due to the severe socio-economic deprivation they encounter. 68-75% experienced complications in 2012 for instance, compared with the 17% complication rate for non-poor urban women.
This is partly as a result of the high rate of teenage pregnancy, which now stands at 39%. Uganda has one of the highest rates of unsafe abortion in East Africa. The estimated rate of 54 abortions per 1,000 women of reproductive age is far higher than the average of 39 abortions per 1,000 women for East Africa. Unsafe abortion is among the leading causes of maternal morbidity and mortality in Uganda: contributing approximately 26% of the estimated 6,000 maternal deaths every year, and an estimated 40% of admissions for emergency obstetric care. It equally places a huge cost on the public health system; approximately UShs 7.5 billion is spent annually to treat complications. Uganda’s restrictive abort laws permit termination only to save the life of a pregnant woman. However, there are conflicting and restrictive interpretation of the abortion provisions under the 1995 constitution of Uganda, the Penal Code Act and National Reproductive Health Policies. These have created confusion about the correct legal position regarding termination of pregnancies. The Government has not operationalized Article 22 (2) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda as a way of clarifying the parameters for legal abortions. This has resulted in healthcare providers’ inability to provide safe and legal abortion services. Law enforcement and judicial officers too do not effectively enforce or implement laws that permit abortion…… To Be Continued!
AFTER HAVING UNPROTECTED SEX AT 16YEARS, SHE GOT INFECTED WITH HIV/AIDS!
Few years back my best friend Shamirah, almost past away after having unprotected sex with her boyfriend Joel at the age of 16years, who infected her with HIV/AIDs. She was sent away from home by her step mum after having noted that she was HIV positive. This forced her to stay with her grand mum in Masaka who was financially unstable to an extent that she couldn’t afford to cater for her basic needs as a young person living with HIV; she lacked access to better health care services, nutrition and education.
Having seen my best friend suffering , I decided to start advocating for Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (CSRH) services for young people so that they can have access to accurate and timely friendly health services and making right choices because if she had access to SRHR information she wouldn’t have acquired HIV.
Muganga Mark
Homophobia and Transphobia Are killing LGBTQ People.
By Mark Muganga (@KasiitaMark)
Credit to #MPactGlobal & #GATE
As we commemorate International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia join us in declaring homophobia & transphobia a public health crisis. Be a part of this important sign on letter:
We the undersigned believe that homophobia and transphobia constitute a public health crisis globally. Homophobia and transphobia are killing LGBTQ people. The oppression of LGBTQ people has profound negative consequences on physical and mental health, the ability to access quality healthcare, and the ability to be an active member of society. Furthermore, the oppression of LGBTQ people has profound negative consequences for broader community health. We call on public health officials and government leaders, public and private sectors to recognize homophobia and transphobia as a public health crisis and to act.
Homophobia and transphobia threaten the lives, rights and dignity of LGBTQ persons globally. Violence, lack of social protections, insufficient healthcare access, and social exclusion cause immense harm. LGBTQ persons are persistently more likely to experience violence than heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. The experience of violence, threat of criminal persecution, and discrimination exponentially create more mental health stressors and increase risk of suicide for LGBTQ people. In many countries, LGBTQ persons have no access to appropriate and adequate healthcare.
The real-world consequences of homophobia and transphobia has been a criminalization of same sex sexual behavior and gender diversity, structural discrimination, denial of healthcare, stigma, violence, torture, and execution. The HIV pandemic – now in its fourth decade – is an ongoing example of how the systemic oppression of a group of people can cause a society wide public health crisis.
Homophobia and transphobia are intricately linked. The rise in anti-trans legislation in many countries resulting from the increased power and geographical reach of anti-gender movement globally, and the banning or restriction of LGBTQ visibility in books and social media in some countries demonstrate how inextricably these forces are linked. Where sexuality and gender are strictly policed, LGBTQ individuals face additional vulnerabilities in employment, housing, education, and safety.
Our Demands
In light of the public health crisis caused by homophobia and transphobia, we collectively demand:
A declaration by public health agencies that recognizes homophobia and transphobia are a public health crisis;
Public health agencies resource interventions to end homophobia and transphobia;
Resources for LGBTQ-led organizations to organize LGBTQ people to resist homophobia and transphobia;
Elected officials to recognize the public health crisis and advocate against homophobia and transphobia;
Media partners to highlight the ways that homophobia and transphobia persist in contemporary society, including the increasing levels of violence against LGBTQ persons; and
Further community-engaged research on the health impacts of homophobia and transphobia
The Uganda Anti Homosexuality Bill Is A Dark Moment For LGBTIQ People.
By Mark Muganga (@Kasiitamark)
On 3rd April 2023, Ugandans living in Canada, at the weekend, demonstrated against the recently passed anti-gay Bill, as they called upon human rights activists to dissuade President Museveni from assenting to it.
According to press statements from the organisers, the demonstrations were held at the Legislative Assembly of Ontario – Queen Park in Toronto.
Among the concerns was the current legislative assault on LGBTQI+ rights in Uganda, where they directly called to action from Canadian government, private sector, and civil society organisations that come from Ugandan LGBTQI+ organisations and leaders,” the statement read in part, adding: “…they asked the Canadian multinational corporations and trade organisations to speak out publicly and urge President Museveni to abstain from signing the Anti-Homosexuality Bill into law.”
According to the statement, the community, which had come under intense pressure from different sections of the Ugandan public, are also asking the Canadian government to impose visa bans on those promoting the Anti-Homosexuality Bill in Uganda, including MPs supporting it. Mr Samuel Kisitu, one of the organisers of the demonstration, is quoted to have asked the Canadian government to hold the Ugandan government to account in multilateral spaces.
“We ask for the support of the community in amplifying these recommendations, and call on our Canadian partners across government, the private sector, and civil society to urgently
implement them. This call has been coordinated by members of Dignity Network Canada: Stephen Lewis Foundation, Rainbow Railroad, Equitas, The Equality Fund and African Centre for Refugees to amplify the messages from our partners in Uganda,” the statement further read in part.
When asked how far President Museveni has gone with assenting onto the Act, Mr Sandor Walusimbi, the Senior Press Secretary to the President, yesterday said the Head of State hasn’t yet received it.
But he has been very clear that when he gets it, he will convene a meeting with relevant stakeholders to discuss its contents.
“We even issued a press statement when he met the Parliamentary group from 23 African countries at State House recently. He is very clear that he will convene a meeting with the relevant stakeholders to discuss it,” Mr Walusimbi said.
Once assented to by President Museveni, an offender found culpable of aggravated homosexuality suffers death.
Credit to @DailyMonitor #DailyMonitorUpdates
THE LARGEST YOUTH-HIV CONFERENCE IN CANADA IS BACK!
By Muganga Mark Kasiita (Twitter @Kasiitamark)
NoTimeToWait was born out of a desire to take action about the rising Youth-HIV rates in Canada. LetsStopAIDS started this programme 3 years ago and has been running the conference every year since.
This is an opportunity for you to take a deep dive into how HIV affects young Canadians. Become a leader and help us achieve zero new infections by 2030.
This year’s NoTimeToWait conference will be held on 19th and 20th November 2022 at Spaces Queen ST West both Hybrid: Toronto and Virtual, and themed “Me+You+Us.”
ME: focuses on the individual. Conversations around self-care, self-reflection, and making an impact as an individual. (https://youtu.be/dAW1G1R6u9k)
YOU: focus on how we interact with others. Discussions about supporting each other, and broaching difficult conversations to foster understanding and reduce stigma.
US: focuses on the collective. Dialogues centering around the strength in collaboration, cross-cultural community building, and breaking barriers to inclusion.
No reason why you should miss this educative dialogue full of edutainments, live performance, workshop, networking sessions, and after partying. So get ready to party like a star.
To participate simply register today via https://www.notimetowait.ca/ or follow “Let’s Stop AIDS” website and socials.
Are you a young person, creative and passionate about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that look at health, Quality Education and Reducing Inequalities . The Winning Seed is here for you, the Winning Seed competition is a part of NoTimeToWait where contestants propose an initiative that provides a solution or brings awareness to an issue. According to “Let’s Stop AIDS” team, “the Winning Seed” is an opportunity to take action through health advocacy and leadership and a step towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic by 2030.
Learn more about it https://www.thewinningseed.ca/
Zimbabwe to host the 22nd Edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA)
By Muganga Mark Kasiita (Twitter @Kasiitamark)
In the background, From left: Mr. Luc Armand Bodea, ICASA Director, H.E. Emerson Mnangagwa, President of. Zimbabwe, Prof. Morenike Ukpong, SAA Treasurer and Dr. Fikile Ndlovu, SAA Deputy Secretary General, during the Signing of the ICASA 2023 MoU, State House, Harare, Zimbabwe
The Society for AIDS in Africa was established in Kinshasa in October 1990 during the 4th International Conference on AIDS and Associated Cancers in Africa, a precursor to the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa (ICASA). The formation of the Society for AIDS in Africa, which was facilitated by the (W.H.O) to encourage the African continent to host international conferences on HIV/AIDS, a disease whose scourge had the hardest impact on the continent. This move encouraged and empowered Africans to directly address and respond to the challenges posed by the HIV and AIDS pandemic on the continent.
Since its inception, SAA has successfully organized 21 International Conferences on HIV /AIDS and STIs in 19 African countries. The 21st edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa was held in Durban- South Africa, under the theme ‘’AFRICA’S AIDS RESPONSE: THE RACE TO 2030 – EVIDENCE. SCALE UP. ACCELERATE’’. This was the first time in its history that the conference was held virtually. Over 4025 delegates from 83 countries across Africa and other regions of the world participated virtually.
On 17th October 2022 in Harare, the Republic of Zimbabwe, the right to host the 22nd edition of the International Conference on AIDS and STIs in Africa was conferred to Zimbabwe under the effective leadership of His Excellency, Dr E. D. Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe at the state house. This is the second time Zimbabwe is hosting ICASA. As previous hosts of ICASA 2015 held in Harare, Zimbabwe convened over 5400 delegates. Zimbabwe’s selection was a result of a rigorous evaluation process of two pre-selected countries out of five country bids.
With the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Honorable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, General (Rtd) Dr. C.D.G. N. Chiwenga, representing the Government of Zimbabwe and the Society for AIDS in Africa, represented by Hon. Senator. Dr. David Pagwesese Parirenyatwa, SAA President and ICASA 2023 President, the Society for AIDs in Africa has the pleasure to officially declare Zimbabwe as the next host country of the 22nd edition of ICASA, ICASA 2023!
The Society for AIDS in Africa is conscious of the momentous task ahead in preparing for a successful ICASA 2023. We are confident that the Government of Zimbabwe with the good people of this country through ICASA 2023, will further motivate all African countries, and the International community to devote more attention and commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS and other emerging viral infections and diseases in Africa towards the end of AIDS by 2030.
We are hereby appealing to all, to follow closely the unfolding preparations of ICASA 2023 and to lend your support to Zimbabwe, so that ICASA 2023 reflects lessons learned that will further the new direction of the SDG strategies to move Africa towards strengthening our health systems, and the elimination of HIV, TB, and Malaria.
Stakeholders, Policymakers Convene to Develop Strategies on Addressing Gender Dynamics In Execution of Agricultural Extension Services
Kasiita Mark Muganga
The Uganda Management Institute (UMI) in partnership with Feed the Future, USAID on Thursday, July 28, 2022, held a public policy dialogue to help policy members acquire knowledge on how to address the challenge of gender dynamics, the biggest facing food security in Uganda.
Themed, Gender Responsiveness of the Agricultural Extension Services: Implications for Income and Food Security in Uganda, at Hotel Africana, Kampala, the event brought together representatives from the local government, private sector organizations, academics and others.
Gender dynamics at the household and community level where the women and children continue to compete for survival against the interests of their husbands and fathers whose survival interests transcend the household include recreational, social status and political interests at the expense of the family.
In his keynote address, Hon. Bwino Fred Kyakulaga, the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries (MAAIF) noted that while women provide 70% of the labour force that engage in agricultural production, they control less than 20% of the output.
He further said that while the government is mindful of gender issues in the policies, programs and interventions, there is a gap in practice.
Dr Kasozi Mulindwa, Director of Programmes and Students Affairs at Uganda Management Institute commended the government for being part of coordinating gender-responsive issues and said that the dialogue will go a long way in informing policymakers on the best solutions aimed at addressing gender issues while executing agricultural extension services.
Feed the Future, the U.S. Government’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative partners with organisations to develop policy frameworks that enable the participation of the various market partners.
Anthony Nyungu, Chief of Party, Feed the Future noted that this dialogue is timely because they are in the final stages in their partnership with MAAIF, to have the reviewed National Agricultural Extension Strategy.
“We are also supporting several agencies to develop gender strategies, including MAAIF, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and others. So, the output of this dialogue becomes a very important input on the ongoing work we are partnering with various agencies,” he said.
A study titled, Gender and Agriculture Extension Services; Implications for Income and Food Security in Uganda revealed that agricultural extension services in Uganda are generally not gender-responsive since they do not address the underlying causes of gender inequality.
As a result of this; the productivity gender gap has persisted even when several extension reforms have been implemented and Women have continued to obtain low incomes from their agric activities. Also, women’s persistently low productivity and incomes have adverse implications for food security since it compromises their ability to provide for the food needs of their households.
Among the key recommendations, Dr Narisi Mubangizi, School of Agriculture, Makerere University University noted that culturally and socially engrained patriarchal bondage to women’s and youth’s access and use of key productive assets especially land should be addressed.
He said that this can be through deliberate efforts to create awareness among males of all age groups about the impacts of gender inequalities in access to, control, use of and benefit from productive assets.
“Institutions and enforcement of laws and policies that promote gender equality in terms of productivity assets are also needed as well as the popularization of the existing laws related to asset ownerships and use so that the common person can clearly understand them and demand for their rights,” he stressed.
The Right To Abortion Is A Critical Link To Hiv Services And Must Be Protected
By Muganga Mark Kasiita (Twitter @Kasiitamark)
On Friday, the US Supreme Court issued a ruling overturning federal protections for abortion rights and allowing states to impose severe restrictions on reproductive healthcare access across the country.
“For many individuals and families, reproductive healthcare is the first point of entry to the formal health care system and a critical link to HIV prevention, testing and treatment,” Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President of IAS – the International AIDS Society – said. “The impact of the US Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion rights will be felt around the world.”
More than half of US states are certain or likely to ban or severely restrict abortion access as a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
“Restrictions to healthcare anywhere are a blow to our efforts everywhere,” Susan Buchbinder, IAS Governing Council member and Director of HIV Prevention Research at the San Francisco Department of Public Health, said.
“The US Supreme Court’s ruling overturning Roe v. Wade ends five decades of protection for bodily autonomy. The implications of stripping away these rights affect not only women and people seeking abortion care, but all of us fighting for the right to live healthy lives and control our destinies.”
Read More:- https://www.guttmacher.org/news-release/2022/abortion-after-roe-new-comprehensive-map-tracks-abortion-policies-and-statistics#msdynttrid=RMuvmvcd-6Dhncsp5Oj59-HXYXD37_jfJr9B8JZLpgc
Credit to http://www.iasociety.org.
National Youth Statement on the FY2022/23 National Budget
National Youth Statement on the FY2022/23 National Budget
Theme of the Budget 2022/23
Full Monetisation of Uganda’s Economy through Commercial Agriculture, Industrialisation, Expanding and Broadening Services, Digital Transformation and Market Access.
“
June 2022
1.0 Introduction
Government through the Minister for Finance, Planning and Economic Development, yesterday Tuesday 14th June 2022,read the National Budget FY 2022-23 with the Resource Envelope for Financial Year 2022/23 amounts to Shs. 48,130.7 billion and is comprised of both domestic and external resources as detailed below: –
Domestic Revenue amounts to Shs. 30,797.3 billion of which Shs. 23,754.9 billion will be tax revenue and Shs. 1,795.9 billion will be Non-Tax Revenue. ii) Domestic borrowing amounts to Shs. 5,007.9 billion.
iii) Budget Support accounts for Shs. 2,609.2 billion. iv) External financing for projects amounts to Shs. 6,716 billion of which Shs. 4,625.7 billion is from loans, and Shs. 2,090.5 billion is from grants. v) Appropriation in Aid, collected by Local Governments amounts to Shs. 238.5 billion; and vi) Domestic Debt Refinancing will amount to Shs 8,008.0 billion.
Distribution of the Budget FY2022/23
Goals for the Budget FY 2022/23
a) Kick-start the process of getting the households still engaged in subsistence into the money economy.
b) Support businesses and the overall economy to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and restore the lost jobs and livelihoods, and
c) Protect households from the rising prices of food, fuel, and other essential commodities using prudent economic policies.
Budget 2022/23 Strategic Actions
1) Maintain peace, security and stability, which jointly are the foundation of all other government, business and household plans;
2) Full implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) to accelerate the transition of the 39 percent of households still engaged in the subsistence economy into the money economy;
3) Step up implementation of the relief and recovery funds to support the recovery of businesses and restore the lost jobs and livelihoods. These relief funds include the Small Business Recovery Fund; the Emyooga Fund; Microfinance Credit to SACCOs; the Uganda Development Bank (UDB) and Uganda Development Corporation (UDC), debt and equity funds, respectively;
4) Implement appropriate fiscal and monetary policies to mitigate the impact of price shocks on the wellbeing of ordinary Ugandans, without causing long-term distortions in the economy; and
5) Enhance investment in infrastructure to facilitate increased production, value addition, and national and regional market access and entry.
Therefore, the Youth are gathered here this morning to analyse and assess the budget that was read yesterday and identify what is there in this budget, for the Youth. The Youth being the largest population of this country with over 70%, deserve more in relation to budget allocation and prioritisation in order to address the challenges that face young people in Uganda which include;
a) High Un employment rate among Young people
b) Increased Levels of poverty among Young people
c) High disease burden with increased infant and adolescent maternal deaths
d) High levels of teenage pregnancies and early marriages
e) Increased rates of school dropouts
f) Skilling and capacity gaps among others
1.1 Investing in Youth
The lives of millions of Ugandan Youth are marred by poverty, inadequate education and skills, inadequate work/employment opportunities, exploitation, diseases, civil unrest and gender discrimination. The environment they live in brings new possibilities and new risks that undermine the traditional social support that helps the Youth prepare for, negotiate and explore the opportunities and demands of their passage to adulthood.
Given this situation, investment in Youth is not only a social obligation but also rewarding in economic
sense. This is because the Youth are the country’s most valuable asset, and form part of e an integral
component of the development process. Therefore, there is need for all stakeholders to make a concerted effort to plan, implement, monitor, evaluate and strengthen activities of the Youth.
For Uganda to benefit from the demographic dividend, the country will require not only substantial resources to serve a larger population and achieve significant improvements in quality, but even greater resources if the current low access rates and quality are to be elevated. Therefore, If investments in health and education are not shifted to a higher trajectory in the short term, the access and quality gap will keep increasing over time and catching up at a later stage will prove extremely difficult.
1.2 Financing of Youth Projects
In order to address the high level of youth unemployment in the country, the government has introduced several programs such as the Parish Development Model, Youth Livelihood Program (YLP) and Emyooga1 which is a presidential initiative for wealth and job creation. There is need to streamline how Youth will benefit from this Budget by prioritizing Youth projects investment, reduction in interest rates on Loans so that Youth could access for financing Youth enterprises and programs.
1.3 Budget allocation to Youth interventions for FY2022/23
In its medium term plans, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development in FY2022/23 prioritizes; strengthening of the Youth Venture Capital Fund, development of the National Youth Service Scheme, development of the National Plan for Youth employment, promoting youth participation in governance processes, institutionalization of youth work, provision of non-formal vocational training to out of school youth and improving youth access to basic health services (HIV/AIDS, Mental health, Drugs & substance abuse).
There is therefore need to prioritize investment in skilling and expanding livelihood opportunities in the Agriculture, Mining, Energy, Tourism, Technology and Finance sectors with increasing funding for the Youth Livelihood Program whose current funding is low at UGX3.3Bn instead of UGX71Bn to cover a bulge of the urban and rural youth to create self-employment, enhance income security but most importantly, ensure Youth benefit greatly in the Parish Development Model (PDM).
2.0 Key Youth concerns and recommendations for FY2022/23 Budget
2.1 Increased Stigma for Teenage Mothers in Schools
Uganda is among at least five countries in Africa that have either revoked restrictive or discriminatory policies or adopted laws or policies that allow pregnant students and adolescent mothers to stay in school under certain conditions.2 Uganda introduced revised guidelines on pregnancy prevention and management in schools in December 2020, prioritizing readmitting mothers and girls after pregnancy, and provide redress for children and parents if public schools refuse to enrol them. Despite these efforts however, stigma, discrimination and violence against students who are pregnant or are parents still exists within the schools, majorly from fellow students/ pupils.
1 https://www.finance.go.ug/sites/default/files/press/Hon.%20MSFPED%20Statement%20on%20EMYOOGA-1.pdf
Recommendation
a) Government should invest in sensitization of schools and communities to enable young mothers return to school and exercise their right to education
2.2 Escalated number of child mothers many of whom have likely not returned to school
The prolonged closure of schools subjected the girl child to high levels of sexual violence and abuse resulting in increase in teenage pregnancy by 23 percent.3 Some of these were further forced into early marriage. It is estimated that up to 30% of all school-aged children – roughly 5 million students, including teenage mothers – will not return to the classroom,4 even with the flexibility of some schools to admit them despite their condition.
Recommendations
a) Government should ensure schools provide psychosocial support to teenage mothers by ensuring the recruitment and existence of senior women teachers
b) The Ministry of Education should undertake a country-wide campaign encouraging teenage mothers to return to school
2.3 Inadequate domestic financing for Adolescent SRHR and HIV/AIDS services and commodities
Uganda is committed to scale up the use and increase access to Adolescent SRHR and modern family planning methods to ensure that every Ugandan woman can choose when and how many children to have. The COVID-19 lockdown however exposed many men, women, boys and girls of reproductive age to a lot of sexual activity, with limited chances of accessing and using protection and contraceptives. These have been exposed to risks of unwanted pregnancies, Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and resultant unsafe abortions. The young people had no access to sexual related information due to limited access to youth friendly centres.
Recommendation(s):
a) There is need to improve adolescent and youth health through; provision of youth- friendly health services, establishment of community adolescent and youth-friendly spaces at sub county level, and including youth among the Village Health Teams (VHTs) and access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) with special focus on family planning services and harmonized information
4 https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/africaatlse/2022/02/14/lockdown-covid19-schools-uganda-have-reopened-for-many-too- late-education/
b) There is need to stimulate thinking and working to address the design, adoption and implementation of sustainable HIV and health financing policy reforms that could move Uganda towards Universal Health Coverage.
2.4 Limited financing for Uganda Blood Transfusion Services
Haemorrhage continues to be the leading cause of maternal death, contributing 42% of all deaths reviewed, with postpartum haemorrhage contributing to 90% of all haemorrhage cases reported. 36% of maternal deaths occurred among young mothers under 24 years who should have been in school, contributing up to 10% of all maternal deaths.5 A total of 63 Health Centre (HC) IVs conducted Caesarean section without blood transfusion services and 38 HC IVs did not provide any emergency obstetric care services in FY 2019/20. It is estimated that 8,400 young mothers are being unnecessarily referred to regional referral hospitals because the HC IVs lack the capacity to perform obstetric care due to the lack of blood supplies. Installation of blood fridges at HC IVs would allow these patients to receive on-site care and reduce unnecessary referrals, saving time and effort of specialized medical staff at the regional hospitals, and reduce transportation costs. UBTS has an unfunded priority of UGX 1.87 Bn.
Recommendation(s):
a) Funding should be provided in a phased manner starting with UGX 1.87 billion required to procure the attendant blood collection and delivery vehicles in FY 2022-23 and the balance of UGX 10.44bn be provided in the subsequent Financial Years.
b) Uganda Blood Transfusion Services(BTS) should fast track the construction of the Hoima and Moroto blood banks to increase blood collection in Bunyoro and Karamoja sub- regions respectively.
2.5 Limited financing for Primary Health Care
It has been noted that there is an increased disease burden among Young people arising from non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cancer cardiovascular diseases among others, which are preventable. This is attributed to partly to inadequate promotion and education of the population about health living and promotion of primary healthcare among communities.
According to MOH, there is a shortfall in operational funds for Primary Health Care (PHC) services of UGX. 36.8bn in FY 2022/23 to cater for the newly upgraded Health Centre IIIs, Health Centre IVs, and General Hospitals. MOH also says that a total of UGX 5 billion is required to expand community level health promotion and education but only UGX 2.99 billion has been allocated in
5 Annual Health Sector Performance Report, 2019/20
FY 2022-23 leaving a funding gap of UGX 2.01 billion. This situation is exacerbated by the current state of health expenditure.
Recommendation:
a) There is need to prioritise UGX 2.01 billion from MOH budget FY 2022-23 allocated to expanding community level health promotion and education in lower-level health facilities as mechanism to cut-back on the cost of curative care and overall, out of pocket health spending.
2.6 Lack of a health insurance scheme
Achieving universal health coverage requires that the Government puts in place a Health Insurance Scheme. According to the Uganda National Household Survey Report 2020, only 3.9
% of the population have access to health insurance. This means a big proportion of Ugandans are meeting the health expenditures out of pocket. By increasing investment in health, households will save more and invest leading to increased household incomes. In addition, more women who bear the responsibility of taking care of patients will be relieved to engage in income generating activities.
Recommendation:
a) Parliament should fast track the enactment of the National Health Insurance Scheme bill into law.
2.1 Poor functionality of youth councils
The challenges for effective youth participation in decision making emanate from limited education, training, orientation and induction where youth are not prepared for such engagements. They do not develop the necessary analytical skills for critical thinking or problem-solving through participatory, active learning, and appropriate information that enables them to make informed decisions. Many youths especially those in rural areas don’t have access to information on government policies and programs. This is further compounded by limited space for engagement.
Recommendation: There is need for Government to invest in strengthening the capacities of youth in understanding their roles and rights in implementing their mandates especially those in rural areas. This will enhance their participation in critical decision-making within their respective youth councils.
2.2 Inadequate Financial literacy and skilling in specific projects and sectors
When youth have low levels of financial literacy, they often make unproductive financial decisions: they spend their money in suboptimal ways, borrow too much, save too little, and miss opportunities for investing. By communicating the knowledge, skills, and attitudes associated with sound money management, financial education can offer these individuals the means to use their scarce financial resources more effectively and to choose the financial services and products that best meet their needs.
Recommendation: We call upon Government to prioritize investment in skilling and expanding livelihood opportunities in the Agriculture, Mining, Energy, Tourism, Technology and Finance sectors with increasing funding for the Youth Livelihood Programme whose current funding low at Shs3.3Bn instead of Shs71Bn to cover a bulge of the urban and rural youth to create self-employment and enhance income security.
2.3 Limited financing towards sensitisation on Violence Against Women and Girls and Sexual Reproductive and Health Rights issues
Violence against Women and Girls remains a critical national concern and a gross violation of fundamental human rights with severe long-term negative impacts on the physical, sexual, mental wellbeing of the survivors, family, and community. More than 1 in 5 women aged 15-49 experience sexual violence compared to 8% of men, while 56% of ever-married women and 44% of ever-married men have experienced spousal violence (UBOS, 2016). Similarly, there is inadequate staffing and capacity of frontline officers to respond to GBV for example the Child and Family Protection Unit of the Uganda Police Force has only 645 police officers to cover the entire country. In addition, these lack the critical skills to investigate GBV cases among others.
Recommendation: There is need for the Ministry of Gender and Local Governments to increase funding towards VAWG and SRHR interventions through engagement with MoFPED for additional resources to address the staffing and capacity gaps within the responsible mandated offices.
2.4 Inadequate funding for the enterprise funds at Local Government level
The YLP has been a key programme for financing youth initiatives. The targeted groups (18-30 years of age) included drop-outs from schools and training institutions; youth who have not had the opportunity to attend formal education; single-parent youth; youth with disability; youth Living with HIV/AIDS; Youth who have completed secondary school or tertiary institutions (including University) but remain unemployed. However, an analysis of the budget shows that only UGX 3.3 Bn has been allocated to the YLPII program.
Recommendation: There is need for Government to increase budget allocations to youth activities at a district level i.e. at least 5% of the local revenue and at least 5% of the unconditional grants from the central government should go to youth. In addition to this, Ministry of Gender should lobby a diverse set of multi-stakeholder groups to increase funding for program to effectively target youth and women country wide.
2.5 Poor Youth Access to Agriculture Credit and Subsidies
The Agricultural sector is one of the biggest employer of Ugandans. However, access to cheap credit and agricultural subsidies remains a big challenge that needs to be adequately addressed by Government. For example, government introduced the Agriculture Credit Facility Scheme and the Youth Venture Capital Fund. However, currently few youths have the required knowledge and information how to access agriculture credit and subsidies from Government. This poor access to these funds and credit has affected the ability of youths. to invest and improve access to productive inputs and critical agricultural assets important for improving farm productivity and returns. The inability by the youth to borrow and strengthen their investment position in the agricultural production processes could be a catalyst to the push factors of the youth out of agriculture.
Recommendation: We call upon Government to target more youth to benefit from government interventions such as the Agricultural Credit Facility and the Youth Capital Venture Fund across the country.
3.0 Conclusion
Young People appreciate Government for increasing Budget for the following sectors:
a) Technology & Innovation,
b) Digital Transformation,
c) Human Capital Development and
d) Agro-Industrialization which sectors are majorly occupied by Young people.
However, Uganda’s rapidly growing population has exacerbated the high levels of unemployment especially among the youth and this has exerted extreme pressure on the available resources and job opportunities. There is therefore need for pragmatic, integrated and comprehensive interventions that could empower young people with opportunities for creation of their own enterprises thus contributing to the social economic transformation of the country.
Therefore Young people call for improved monitoring and tracking of this Budget so that the funds allocated prioritize Youth Development especially in the implementation of Parish Development Model there by transforming of the lives of young people.
References
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Budget FY 2022/23
OpBy Muganga Mark Kasiita (Twitter @Kasiitamark)
In commemoration of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health
By Muganga Mark Kasiita (Twitter @Kasiitamark)
In commemoration of the International Day of Action for Women’s Health
The Civil Society Organizations in Uganda led by CEHURD join the world to commemorate the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, which is marked every May 28 to foster the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of women around the world and draw attention to the deepest forms of disregard for autonomy: coercion, discrimination and violence as it is experienced by many women and girls in our societies today. And remind key actors about the multiple health related issues that affect women.
Earlier this week, we unveiled a campaign themed Women’s Health Matters through which we are leading a conversation on ways through which the existing gendered health inequities that women and girls experience in the country can be redressed.
The realization of women’s right to health is a driver of the Sustainable Development Goals. Women’s Health is a critical pathway to realizing gender equality and the empowerment.
Women and men have different health-care needs, but equal right to live healthily. Arguably, women need special attention when framing the agenda for health due to the fact that women are biologically different from men and therefore have unique needs throughout their lifespan.
Gender discrimination systematically undermines access to health care for many women and girls, for reasons that include fewer financial resources and constraints on mobility.
This is compounded by additional burdens imposed by gender disparities which limit their ability to stay healthy. These include long hours spent on domestic work, unsafe work environments and gender-based violence, with mechanisms for prevention and protection often inadequate. Pregnancy and childbirth pose particular risks. Health disparities are often rooted in racial discrimination and systemic disenfranchisement.
Continued failure to redress the existing health inequities experienced by women a will increase their vulnerability within our society, while at the same time, limit the positive contribution they will be able to make to the socio-economic wellbeing of Uganda as a whole.
And creating solutions begins with recognizing that these challenges exist.
Maternal Mortality
Uganda’s maternal mortality ratio (MMR) despite being on a reducing trend, it remains unacceptably high at 336 per 100,000 live births (According to UDHS 2016) – this translates into losing 16 women every day due to maternal health related complications. With unsafe abortions significantly contributing to this morbidity and mortality. Other major causes include post-partum bleeding, obstructed labor, infection related to childbirth (sepsis), pregnancy-induced high blood pressure (Eclampsia or pre- eclampsia) and abortion-related complications.
Unfortunately, adolescent females account for a significant proportion of the maternal deaths, which are largely due to preventable causes like malnutrition, infections and hemorrhage coupled with inadequate health care and supportive services and information, particularly in the rural areas.
Furthermore, Uganda retains a high burden of sexual and reproductive health risks among young people such as teenage pregnancy, Gender-based violence, STIs, child marriage, HIV and harmful practices like FGM. Nearly one-quarter of Uganda’s population is between the ages of 10 and 19. Many of these young people are at risk or already struggling with the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), including HIV/AIDS.
An estimated 67 new young Ugandans get infected with HIV every day. This represents 44.1% of all new infections in the country, the majority of which are sexually transmitted. Young women in particular are at significant risk for both unintended pregnancy and HIV infection. HIV prevalence among 15–24 year olds is 4 times higher among women (3.3%) than men (0.8%), and 23.5% of young girls aged 15–19 years have given birth.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of GBV cases, rates of teenage pregnancy, rates of early marriage undeniably shot up. Women and young girls were confined to their homes during the lockdowns experiencing increases in violence.
The measures to respond to COVID-19 further exacerbated risk factors for vulnerable populations such as women as they were locked in homes with their
abusers. Lockdowns isolated some girls in close proximity to perpetrators within homes and neighborhoods, and left them unable to access help.
At least 644,955 teenage pregnancies were recorded during the COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda, according to the United Nations Population Fund-UNFPA.
Since March 2020 when COVID-19 hit the world, an estimated 354,736 teenage pregnancies were reported following the closure of all schools in the country for at least
eight months. An additional 290,219 pregnancies were reported between January and September 2021. The number of recorded pregnancies is five times higher than the number of cumulative COVID-19 positive cases that have been reported since 2020.
Uganda has ratified major international human rights instruments on health including Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and women’s health, giving the country an obligation to protect the rights that the various Treaties, Declarations, Covenants and Protocols define and protect.
Our Asks
These steps should be taken to ensure that women in Uganda enjoy their right to health fully.
We want to see that concrete actions are taken to ensure that women and girls in all their diversity can enjoy the right to health. And this should be felt in our health programming and decision making.
We have to ensure that our health care system is meeting the needs of women as it should be. As a country, we have to aim higher and do better in ensuring that we don’t lose any more women due to preventable causes.
Take action towards fulfillment of Women’s Right to Health
Take a stand to improve the efficiency of health care delivery and access systems for all women and young girls and to take a gender-sensitive approach to addressing the medical, socio-cultural and economic factors that have the potential to adversely affect women’s health and limit their lifespans.
Invest and Create ways to Improve Women’s Health. The government should prioritize and provide sufficient funds in the national budget for maternal health care.
Heeding the orders in CEHURD’s cases on SRHR
Government must heed the orders in CEHURD’s cases on SRHR like the petition 16 case and the CSE case. The constitution guarantees the women of Uganda opportunities and rights to perform their natural maternal function. And the petition 16 Judgement entrenches these rights by prioritizing the health of women during planning.
The petition 16 judgement recognizes that government’s omission to adequately provide basic maternal health care services in public health facilities violates the right to health and the right to life. And task them to take the necessary measures
to improve maternal health and adequately provide emergency obstetric care in public health facilities.
First, implementation of the ruling should be first tracked. Especially the orders on injecting more funds in maternal health will help save women’s lives. Government’s commitment to end mortality should be felt within their decisions, operations and budget.
Heed the CSE Case ruling
After a five years litigation battle, CEHURD secured a positive judgment in the CSE Case that sought to compel the government to lift the ban on Comprehensive #SexualityEducation (CSE) in Uganda. In one of the orders, the Judge asked the Government of Uganda to develop a Sexuality Education Policy within two years and address all the relevant issues competently. Sexuality Education a priority as we work to improve the SRHR outcomes among young people. Evidence shows that increasing young people’s knowledge on SRH helps to enhance their capacity to make healthy sexual choices or handle the challenges that they face.
The contestation of sexuality education in Uganda has left many young people without essential SRHR information, that would help them deal with their SRHR issues. Leaving many to be exposed to teenage pregnancy, many losing their life through unsafe abortion. The ban of CSE sparked years of uncertainty over how and if education about sexuality as well as HIV prevention and family planning are illegal. Since then, Schools and Aid groups have scrambled to reconfigure their programming, often working under threats.
Another point of contention in the case was the use of the term ‘comprehensive’. To this, the Judge stated that “The inclusion or exclusion of the term ‘comprehensive’ is a simple matter of form that should never derail the substance of this process. We need to fast track the development and implementation of the National Sexuality Education Framework which answers the orders made by the judge, as a way of implementing the CSE Case Ruling.
To end GBV
Let’s work to create a Safe Listening Space for Women, Support initiatives that target to eliminate the gender-based violence scourge in our communities, openly condemn harmful practices and negative social norms, Scale-up evidence-based community violence prevention approaches to address GBV and violence against women and girls, Scaling up prevention efforts that address unequal gender power relations as a root cause of gender-based violence, Focus prevention efforts on changing social norms that underpin violence against women, Strengthen and enhance multisectoral services, Developing support programs for professionals experiencing secondhand trauma, Bolster the case
management capacity of GBV and child protection actors through systematic training and mentorship; improve facilities and logistical resources; and strengthen coordination and referral mechanisms, including local leaders and refugee welfare committees, Establish community-based protection structures that work as information conduits.
Use my tax to fund the health sector
Gender equality must be at the core of national budget appropriation towards health. Government must ensure that key parts of the health service are meeting women’s needs as they should be. We want this to be felt in programming and decisions health
Women and SRHR information
There is a need for a comprehensive approach to education of girls and women on their Sexual Reproductive Health Rights. We must do better in creating an enabling for them to enjoy their health rights.
For more information, contact Grace Kenganzi 0753649809 or email kenganzi@cehurd.org and copy
info@cehurd.org
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE WORLD MESNTRUAL HYGIENE DAY2022
“Making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”
By Muganga Mark Kasiita (Twitter @Kasiitamark)
Uganda today 28th of May, Uganda joins the rest of the world to commemorate the World Menstrual Hygiene day. This year, the theme for this day is ‘Making Menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030”.This theme is critical to this time because Girls and Young Women in countries like Uganda have been challenges to achieved their dreams due to poor menstrual hygiene management leading to school drop outs, diseases, poor hygiene, discrimination from society, societal norms and cultures that do not uphold the values and responsibilities in promoting proper menstrual hygiene management.
Menstruation is still a taboo in many parts of the world. While it is a natural phenomenon which occurs to every girl after puberty, this has not been addressed as ‘normal’ yet. Many girls do not even have access to sanitary pads, clean toilets, or even safe disposal of used cloth during this time of the month. This not only leads to urinary infections but can cause infertility if not addressed on time.
To create awareness about menstruation, provide safe and hygienic practices to girls, and burst the bubble of taboo, World Menstrual Hygiene Day is celebrated on May 28 all over the world. According to UNFPA, May 28 signifies the menstrual cycle of females.
As a fertility cycle lasts for 28 days, the date is selected to be 28. In the same way, an average period lasts for five days, which gives us the fifth month of the day, May. Therefore, to give it a meaning in itself, May 28 is celebrated to mark the change that occurs in a female body.
This year, the theme for World Menstrual Hygiene Day is ‘making menstruation a normal fact of life by 2030’. The theme is not just about celebrating the day, but rather a goal that has to be achieved by 2030.
The goal is to build a world where no girl is without the safety supplies and easy access to menstrual products. It is also about making menstruation a normal subject which can be discussed publicly in a normal voice, not a low-pitched one.
Challenges of achieving proper Menstrual Hygiene Management in Uganda. These include;
Physiological
i. The most common challenge is menstrual pain that manifests in different forms like abdominal/ stomach pain (dysmenorrhea) and back pain for which women and girls have limited knowledge and skills in their management. Other physiological challenges include; headache, stress, mood swings, body weakness and fatigue.
ii. Heavy, prolonged and repeated menstrual flow which is socially and economically costly for the Girls and Young Women-associated with Contraceptives. Socially, it means women do not feel comfortable interacting with the public and participating in social activities, while economically, this requires an extra income to purchase the pads to manage these incidents.
Social challenges
i. The existence of negative cultural practices and attitudes that override the contemporary menstrual hygiene management practices.
ii. Culture largely affect men’s access to menstrual hygiene information and support to women and girls during their menstruation. Culturally, the issue of menstruation is regarded a “women’s issue” and men were not supposed to know anything about it. This has perpetually limited their support to women and girls until present day. This further partly explains the embarrassment and ridicule caused by the boys and some men to women during menstruation.
iii. The exclusion of boys from menstrual discussions especially in school settings explains their negative mentality towards menstruation, limited knowledge and the abuses, intimidation and embarrassment meted out to the girls by the boys.
iv. Traditional life styles in some communities that impede a shift in attitudes towards adoption of better menstrual hygiene management practices.
v. Parenting attitudes and gaps: It is established that most parents are not playing their role of educating, supporting, and preparing girls for menstruation.
vi. Limited social support networks at school, community level and work places.
vii. Limited reporting about MHM situation for women and girls by the media.
Economic Challenges
i. Limited incomes for the women and girls to purchase decent and safer pads and therefore resort to utilizing unsafe materials like old pieces of cloth, cotton wool and toilet paper that are harmful to their health.
ii. Limited funds in schools to provide the basic MHM facilities for girls and other needed support. The facilities include water, wash rooms, changing rooms, rest rooms, hand washing facilities, and drying facilities among others.
Environmental Challenges
i. Poor menstrual waste disposal in schools and at household level largely attribute to lack of resources to avail incinerators in schools. In the community, it is equally attributed to lack of facilities (garbage collection, pre-defined menstrual pits, etc), negative cultural perceptions towards certain waste disposal mechanisms (e.g. burning the pads) and limited education about the importance of proper menstrual waste disposal and its impact to the environment.
Structural & Institutional Challenges
i. There is generally limited access to the basic and recommended facilities for MHM in the different environments e.g. schools, homes, communities, and workplaces. Some of these exist but in varying magnitudes and recommended standards. For instance;
(a) Water coverage and access is not in all schools and communities citing challenges of funding, poor/ low ground water potential in some communities and poor operation and maintenance by the water users.
(b) The limited availability of adequate latrines in some schools prompting the bigger pupil-stance sharing ratios. The lack of gender considerations in the distribution of the stances for the girls and boys makes it even worse for the women and girls.
(c) Changing rooms and rest rooms are generally rare in most schools, communities and workplaces thus constraining the practice of changing the filled pads for the girls and women.
(d) The general lack of incinerators and other waste disposal mechanisms for the used pads has contributed to poor disposal of used menstrual materials in schools, homes/ communities and workplaces.
(e) The limited availability of washrooms with no water sources attached has affected menstrual hygiene for the girls and women especially in schools.
(f) Hand washing facilities were generally lacking in most schools and households thus exposing women and girls to infections.
ii. The low implementation of standardized infrastructural designs in schools thus affecting the integration of relevant MHM facilities for girls and female staff.
iii. Limited access to and prioritization of other relevant support for the girls and women due to generally limited resources.
iv. Emergency pads, pain killers, soap and basins and emergency clothing (like knickers, wrapping cloths, drying cloths) that are rarely provided by institutions and other support stakeholders.
v. There is limited counselling and guidance in schools for girls undergoing menstruation. This is partly attributed to poor attitude for some of those responsible towards the girls, rare demand of psycho-socio support for the girls
Recommendations
A) Government of Uganda and the development partners need to scale up skilling of the women, girls, boys and men in making re-usable pads. There is a need to empower and train girls, young women and Boys on making re-usable sanitary towels to reduce on accessibility gaps which also could be sold to earn a living and thus improving their livelihoods.
B) Sectors, partners and stakeholders should develop an all-inclusive approach to MHM by involving men and boys in the promotion of menstrual hygiene management for girls and women. Deliberate efforts should be made to involve men and boys in MHM trainings and sensitization programs.
C) There is a strong need to break the cultural barriers to effective MHM through change of positive attitudes and perceptions by different stakeholders’ especially cultural leaders. This can be done through engagements, conducting MHM campaigns, and sensitization of communities about menstruation as normal and a healthy issue that requires support from other people.
D) The parents need to be reminded of their cardinal role of offering basic MHM information, preparing the girls for puberty and providing for their MHM needs.
E) Government and development partners should consider nationwide skilling of teachers in the different education institutions in the comprehensive MHM framework.
F) While the current MHM interventions focus on mainly public primary schools, it is important to increase coverage to include private schools, secondary schools, community women and men and at the workplaces
G) Water access in schools, communities and public places is still a challenge. It is therefore pertinent that water interventions are prioritized and heavily supported more so in more populated areas like schools.
H) Waste disposal of menstrual waste is a key challenge. There is therefore need to provide or improvise menstrual disposal facilities in all environments. The provision of incinerators in schools, work place and public incinerators in communities is necessary.
I) Government and development partners should prioritize adequate provision of Menstrual Hygiene Management services to Girls and Young Women in urban slums and ghettos areas because of the great challenges faced by girls in the slums.
J) Cultural and religious leaders need to commit to promoting proper menstrual hygiene management in their programs especially for Girls and Young Women.
K) Government and development partners need to commit adequate resources both Human and Financing for promotion of proper Menstrual Hygiene Management by allocating adequate budgets to line ministries, local governments and civil societies to reach vulnerable communities such as urban slums and ghetto communities.
L) Government should establish the MHM FUND which will help to streamline financing for Menstrual Hygiene Management in Uganda.
Conclusion
From the challenges above, Poor menstrual hygiene management is no doubt the major hindrance to girls and young women achieving their dreams and aspirations especially the Girls and Young Women in urban slums and ghetto communities.
Therefore putting to action the above recommendations is important for the Girls and Young Women dreams to be kept alive there by achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Young People must be meaningfully engaged in the fight to curb HIV/AIDS forever
Kasiita Mark Muganga
It is very vital that health workers handling HIV cases create awareness and ensure that people with HIV know the importance of taking precaution and adhering to medication. According to the UPHIA 2020 report by the Ministry Of Health (MoH) Uganda, indicate that the current prevalence of HIV among adults aged 15 to 49 years in Uganda is 5.5% (7.1 percent among women and 3.8 percent among men). Among adults aged 15 years and older, HIV prevalence was 5.8 percent (7.2 percent among women and 4.3 percent among men) corresponding to approximately 1.3 million adults living with HIV in Uganda.
The prevalence of HIV in adults 15 years and above was higher in urban areas (7.1%) than in rural areas (5.2 percent).
Being HIV positive is not the end of life neither is it something to be ashamed of, you can still have an active, quality and healthy sexual life. However, there is need to live positive and always practice safe sexual behavior, get tested and take your medication. I read a story recently about the adolescent university girls and young women in Kenya who intentionally infect other people with HIV, saying they will not suffer alone. This kind of line of thought is part of the problem. These young people believe they have been condemned to die and so they desire to take down as many people as possible along with them which only creates a pandemic and continuous reinfection.
If we are to end this pandemic, we need collective responsibility beginning with the grassroots with the young people taking the lead as the next generation. Leaving them out creates a gap that may only worsen the situation.
I remember during the 2018 Pre-youth AIDS conference which was organized to ensure meaningful youth participation at the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) and amplify the voices of the young people present in Amsterdam, it was clearly noted that young people play a vital role in the curbing of HIV/AIDS worldwide. In 2020, approximately 1.5 million [1.0 million–2.0 million] people were newly infected with HIV this including women and girls who accounted for 50%. Every week, around 5000 young women aged 15–24 years become infected with HIV and yet in sub-Saharan Africa, 6 in 7 new HIV infections among adolescents aged 15–19 years are among girls. AIDS is still the second leading cause of death among youth worldwide. These same groups are still facing stigma, discrimination, and being denied their rights. There is a surmounting sense of urgency to invest resources in adolescents, and particularly young women. If we want to be the generation to end AIDS, we must meaningfully engage in the sphere of SRHR, own our sexuality, and bodily autonomy.
As we get set for the International AIDs Conference 2022, lets prioritize access to comprehensive sexuality education services and information for every adolescent as it increases their level of sexual responsibility while leading to improved health indicators such as reduced HIV infections, STIs and teenage pregnancy. This year’s International AIDs Conference will run from 27th July to 2nd August 2022 kicking off with the pre-youth at the Palais des congres de Montreal, Canada, under the theme: Re-engage and Follow the Science.
Mark 