Youth hold demo ahead of family planning conference
Sep 26, 2017
The youth who held placards reading “no adolescent should get pregnant by accident,” “family planning options enable me to plan my future,”
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH| FAMILY PLANNING
As the second family planning conference starts on Tuesday at Kampala Serena Hotel, the youth from the suburbs of Kampala and other districts of the country held a peaceful demonstration to curb teenage pregnancies.
They marched from Youth Sharing Centre in Nsambya via Kabalagala trading Centre, Makindye and Usafi market and back to the Centre.
The youth who held placards reading "no adolescent should get pregnant by accident," "family planning options enable me to plan my future," and others were guided by the Police during their procession.
The family planning conference is held under the theme: "Health, my choice, my future."
The team leader of Uganda Youth Health Adolescent Forum (UYHAF), Patrick Mwesigye said concerted efforts by all stake holders are needed to curb teenage pregnancies and maternal mortality rate.
"We need government to create more sexual reproductive health services and we can reduce teenage pregnancies by 60%," Mwesigye said.
The team leader observed that misconception about family planning need to be fought.
He also called for the national policy on sexuality so as to provide correct information to youth and demystify myths about family planning.
The team leader of Uganda Youth Health Adolescent Forum, Patrick Mwesigye talks to Miriam Namugera, principal nursing officer at the ministry of health
Miriam Namugera, the principal nursing officer at the ministry of Health said family planning is important to fight unintended pregnancies.
She informed the audience that the recent Uganda Demographic Health Survey indicates that out of 100 girls below the age of 16 have become pregnant.
Namugera emphasized that there is need to create awareness among the youth about risk behaviours that cause unwanted pregnancies.
The youth and the residents of the area were tipped on family planning methods for short and long term.
The residents of Nsambya, Makindye, Kabalagala also rushed to have HIV/AIDS test to know their status.
Mariettah Katende (right) social behaviour change communications manager explains to the youth about moon beads, a method of family planning
Lilian Tutegyerize (left) an official from PATH talks to the youth on how to avoid early pregnancies