Adolescent girls, teenage mothers in Katwe tipped on reproductive health

Adolescent girls and teenage mothers residing in Kampala's Katwe slum have been empowered with knowledge on sexual reproductive health and rights and how to prevent themselves from contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Speaking during a training session in Katwe on Thursday (April 06), the senior programme officer of Slum Aid project (SAP), Daniel Muwanga, said some of the adolescents suffer from teenage pregnancies and STIs because they lack the knowledge.

‘’Vulnerable adolescent girls in slums need information because when they are out of school, they don’t get a chance of getting knowledge on sexual reproductive health and rights, which knowledge they need to make decisions,’’ he said.

Daniel Muwanga Senior Program office Slum Aid project speaking during a training session in Katwe.

Under a one-year project, SAP will ensure a supportive environment for providing high-quality, youth-friendly family planning services by bringing a range of stakeholders to discuss barriers and solutions related to adolescent sexual and reproductive health practices.

The project also aims at increasing knowledge, attitude and perception about modern birth control methods and also improving access to contraceptive services at health facilities.

Muwanga said: "It is imperative for the adolescents to have knowledge and skills on how they can guard themselves against the dangers of having unsafe sex".

SAP is a non-governmental organisation working with communities and other stakeholders to improve the lives of the poor and vulnerable people living in slum areas.