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[KOICA-WHO] Kidera Secondary School SRHR Club Activity

August 12th marks International Youth Day (IYD), a United Nations initiative designed to spotlight the role of youth and address their challenges globally. This year, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) underscores its commitment to enhancing the reproductive health of Ugandan youth.

In Uganda, nearly 25% of women give birth by the age of 18, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS, 2018). Preliminary findings from the 2024 census indicate that 50.5% of Uganda's population is under 17, emphasizing the urgent need for improved youth reproductive health services. This pressing issue requires immediate and effective action.

Since 2016, KOICA has led efforts to address reproductive health challenges in Uganda. The agency has implemented a long-term strategy in partnership with Korean and Ugandan NGOs and international organizations to enhance healthcare infrastructure and train healthcare personnel. This collaboration has been particularly impactful in the Busoga region, where teenage pregnancy rates are the highest in the country.

A significant milestone in this effort was the "Project for Improving Maternal and Child Health in Iganga and Kamuli Districts," launched in 2016 with the World Health Organization (WHO). This project distributed 8,846 reusable sanitary pads and trained 210 teachers on reproductive health, aiming to bolster the healthcare staff's capabilities, expand outreach services, and enhance teachers’ knowledge of reproductive health.

Building on this success, KOICA, in partnership with WHO, launched the "Health System Strengthening for Improving Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Service Delivery in 5 Districts in the Busoga Sub-region" project in 2020. This includes training 2,119 teachers and health workers, as well as 7,889 students, in Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR). Its key outcomes are to improve RMNCAH service delivery, particularly targeting youth.

Trained adolescents are now taking the lead in SRHR initiatives within their schools. For example, a learner from Buyende Kidera Secondary School reported that health club members are actively engaged in various activities, such as cleaning compounds and latrines, peer education, skits and dramas. The learners noted significant improvements, including boys now supporting rather than mocking girls during menstruation periods and increased confidence among girls in discussing their experiences. Additionally, some schools report a notable decrease in drop-out rates, with some girls returning to school after giving birth, highlighting the positive impact of these youth-led initiatives.

Since 2019, KOICA has expanded its efforts through a partnership with Good Neighbors International Korea and Uganda on the "Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Improvement Project for Girls in Jinja, Uganda." This project aims to prevent early marriage and teenage pregnancy by creating girl-friendly health spaces, establishing advocacy clubs called ‘Girls Ambassadors’, and providing comprehensive SRHR education. In collaboration with the local NGO Days For Girls (DFG), Good Neighbors has distributed dignity kits and provided essential health education to girls. Furthermore, in partnership with the Jinja District Local Government, the district’s action plan and by-laws have been developed and are under review for adoption to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Jinja.

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[KOICA-Good Neighbors International Korea] Girls after completing Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) education

Further advancing its mission, KOICA, in collaboration with Plan International Korea and Uganda, launched the "Prevention of Adolescent Pregnancy through SRHR (PROAP) Project in Buyende and Luuka, Uganda" in 2023. This project seeks to reduce adolescent pregnancy by improving youth-friendly healthcare services, enhancing the capacity of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) service providers, and promoting education on SRHR. The goal is to develop gender-inclusive and youth-friendly reproductive health services, thereby empowering adolescents to make informed decisions.

[KOICA-Plan International Korea] School Discussion Session on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

KOICA remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing reproductive health and rights for youth in Busoga and throughout Uganda. Through its continued efforts, KOICA aims to secure healthier futures for Ugandan youth and effectively address reproductive health challenges.