Envoy wants youth to access reproductive health information

By Carol Kasujja

The UNFPA Country representative, Esperance Fundira, has called upon Government to take measures to reduce on child mothers in the country which in effect will reduce maternal mortality.

She said this during the on- going 22th annual Uganda youth forum conference at Uma show ground yesterday.

“Today we live in a world where all hopes are on young people as the drivers of the post 2015 development agenda. The young person is put at the forefront, and the expectations are set high with growing belief that you, the young people can transform the social and economic fortunes of developing countries like Uganda,” she said.

She said the youth should have access to sexual and reproductive health information and services because some of them are already engaged in sexual activities. And they need to know the consequences.

“If young people choose to have sex, let them be given the opportunity to have it safe, by making condoms accessible to them. This will help protect them from pregnancy, as well as HIV,” She said.

She noted the government should put up strong laws and policies to address issues like child marriage, sexual violence and violation of the rights of the girl-child.

She also noted that Uganda has one of youngest and most rapidly growing populations in the world, according to the UDHS 2011 statistics.

“On average, every Ugandan woman gives birth to at least 6 children, and about half of the country’s population is younger than 15.This means that we have a lot of young people, who are not working, and someone has to take care of them,”

Fundira advised young people to advocate in the campaign to prevent teenage pregnancy by speaking to their fellow youth who have no access to education, health services and knowledge about life.

The conference was officially opened on Tuesday by his Excellency the Irish ambassador to Uganda, Donal Cronin. Under the theme: An HIV/AIDS free generation.

At the conference there is entertainment from different musicians and youth groups and free HIV-testing, counseling and cancer screening.

Those who are willing are donating blood to the Uganda Blood Bank. It will be closed today.