By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
WAKISO
Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) experts have backed a proposal to have teenage girls under the age of 18 years use contraceptives and access to sexual Reproductive Health informations.
This follows recent media reports that the ministry of health is plotting to approve the use of teenage pregnancies amongst teenagers from age 15. The reports created heated debates amongst members of the public including legislators who are saying that the move is likely to cause moral deliquency to young girls.
Sarah Kintu, CEO Action for Health Uganda says approving this policy will ease access to information on sexual Reproductive Health and access to contraceptives to young girls vulnerable to teenage pregnancies and other sex related challenges.
“The reality is that young girls are exposed to unsafe sex through their peers, through different situations […] but they need this information so that they make informed decisions when such situation comes. That’s the advocacy we are pushing on,” said Kintu
She was speaking at the launch of the Action for Health Uganda (A4hU) five year Strategic Plan 2023-2025 at Bonita Training Centre, Lubowa Hill Wakiso district on Tuesday November 21.
It should be recalled that the deputy speaker of parliament, Rt Hon Thomas Tayebwa recently cautioned the government and other stakeholders against approving the proposal arguing that the move would be akin to legitimizing sexual violence in Uganda.
“We pray that the devil doesn’t find his way and such thoughts should never come into [the] minds of our people because it is giving up. That is formalizing defilement. That is clearly saying we have failed. We would rather strengthen the monitoring to ensure that we fight this vice [rather than] legitimizing it by giving such services and I am glad it isn’t yet a policy, Tayebwa said then,” Tayebwa cautioned.
The deputy speaker’s warnings followed demands by the Amuru District Woman MP, Lucy Akello, the the health ministry should explain to the house if they want to lower the age of consent from 18 to 15years.
The lawmaker argued that allowing use of contraceptives is likely to cause negative side effects on the bodies of teenagers as well as exposing them to sexual immoralities. She wondered if the government is no longer scared of escalating the spread of HIV/AIDS and the effects of contraceptives on the underaged users.
“Where is that plan coming from, have you done a study to find out the implications of the contraceptives on young girls who haven’t given birth? Even me who has given birth fear those things, what of the young girls? Yes, I fear and don’t use them, I use the natural method can you assure us that our children are safe with this policy you are coming up with?” asked Akello.
Gov’t Speaks Out
Few days ago, the minister of state for Primary Health Care, Margaret Muhanga dismissed reports that the ministry of health is mooting a plot to approve the contraceptive policy to children starting from age 15. She said the approval was a suggestion by Dr Charles Olaro, Director Curative Services at the Ministry of Health and that there was no approved policy by the Ministry. Muganga accused the media of quoting Dr. Olaro out context.
Female MPs back proposal
On Tuesday last week, legislators under the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) and Civil society organizations (CSOs) backed the proposal as a measure of reducing cases of unsafe abortions among sexually active teenage girls.
Sarah Opendi, Tororo District Woman MP, who also doubles as Chairperson UWOPA, said that although the subject of authorising teenage girls to use contraceptives may be controversial, especially on religious grounds, it is one of the measures that would protect the girls from dying as a result of unsafe abortions.
“It is very important to reach out to the girls, those who are sexually active, to know that once they do it, they will actually get pregnant. Government has endeavoured to provide contraceptives which are widely available. I think the issue of abortion isn’t a good one. So let us promote the use of contraceptives although for Catholics, it has become an issue,” she said.
A United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) March 2022 report titled; The Cost of Inaction; The Economic and Social Burden of Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda highlighted that as of 2021, Uganda recorded 31,565 pregnancies every month, translating into 1,052 pregnancies recorded daily up from 29,835 cases recorded in 2019 and 29,557 in 2020, and a daily rate of 994 and 985 respectively.
About A4HU Strategic Plan Launch
Sarah Kintu, A4HU Chief Executive Officer said on Tuesday that the five year strategic plan (2023-2027) launched is aiming to promote sexual reproductive health in the country and youth empowerment. She said, during this period, they will train and empower more youth with socio-economic, and leadership skills.
Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, former A4HU Board Chairman challenged NGOs and Civil Society Organizations to work together with the government and make policies that seek to address challenges faced by the youth. According to Musinguzi, government alone cannot address the complex youth problems in the society. He appealed to Civil Society Organizations and the private sector to have plan for action to address challenges faced by the youth in the country.
A4HU initial focus is in eight districts of Lamwo, Yumbe, Kiryandongo, Telego, Kotido, Moroto, Namayingo and Kampala. The projects have since expanded to other districts of Mityana, Kassandra, Busia and there plans to cover other parts of the country.
