Busia introduces sports to popularize sexual reproductive health

Adolescents in Busia district have shared experiences on myths and misconceptions hindering them from accessing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services in the area.

The two-day gender stereo-packed sports gala was organized by Power to Youth project in conjunction with Busia district with the aim of amplifying adolescents’ voices and holding leaders accountable.

A  quick survey among participants indicated that some youths still hold misconceptions that when one uses contraceptives, they will never be able to bear children in the future and that condoms are only used by prostitutes.

Others have shunned health facilities accusing medics of harassment. Such views have left many youth exposed to unwanted pregnancies

Youth in the tag of war

“We hear this information both in the community and at school, yet nobody has come out to clarify but we also fear asking our parents because we don't know how they will react,” said 16-year-old Joan Auma, a senior two student.

During the sports gala, adolescents including those from hard-to-reach areas (fishing and gold mining communities)  attended educative sessions on various subjects including teenage pregnancies, child marriage, gender-based violence, and other harmful practices.

The youth also had fun participating in games including football, netball, sack race, and egg race in addition to fighting the negative gender constructions put in place by the community.

The young people also accessed free SRH services including sensitization on  HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, testing and provision of contraceptives.

• SRH  services in Uganda include:
• Family Planning.
• HIV/AIDS and STI Management.
• Cervical and Breast Cancer screening and treatment.
• Safe Male Circumcision.
• Laboratory Services.
• Infertility Diagnosis and Management.
• Antenatal and Postnatal Services.
• Immunisation.

Speaking at the function, Semu Okumu the district community development office Busia said the youth play a big role in understanding the information given to them, sharing it with their peers and staying in school till they complete.

“All these interventions put in place will not work unless the young people take guidance from the parents, teachers and other senior people in the community,” Semu said adding the district intends to take down the discussion at family level.

 Semu said for  over 20 years they have  been grappling with teenage pregnancies noting that the percentage is about to hit 30% despite all the interventions put in place by district and the implementing partners.

Pastor Martine Egessa, the Masafu town council counselor to the district appealed to the young people to take responsibility noting that both their parents and the government have sacrificed for them a lot to ensuring that they become good future citizens.

He requested the youths to carefully evaluate the information they get from social media noting it has both good and bad information noting many children have fallen victims of the bad information obtained from social media.