Belgium Ambassador to Uganda,Hugo Verbist has called for empowerment of girls through availing platforms to access and share information about sexual and reproductive health services.
The envoy was said this during the She Decides Festival Uganda celebrated on March 2, at Kira Road Police grounds, Kamwokya in commemoration of the global She Decides Day.
She Decides is a Global Movement that envisions a world where every girl and woman can decide what to do with her body, with her life and with her future. The movement is united is a fundamental right of every girl and every woman to make right the decision.
He revealed that one in four girls between ages of 15-19 years is already pregnant or with their first child and sadly, figures are shooting up.
According to Uganda Demographic Health Survey (UDHS-2016), annually, more than 300,000 teenagers get pregnant accounting for the bulk of unwanted pregnancies which result into unwanted births or unsafe abortions (estimated at 24 per cent). This has however increasing the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity among adolescent girls.
“For many of these girls, pregnancies has little to do with informed choices. Often times, it is a consequence of discrimination, rights violations including; child marriage, rape, and defilement,” he said.
Mr. Jackson Okweku the Executive Director of Reproductive Health Uganda called on government to ensure priority is given youth-friendly services in all health units in the country.
“With a population that is 70 per cent youth, why should services be packaged only for the older people? Empower the young people, understand who they are, and serve them with a smile”.
Dr. Charles Olara , the Director of Clinical Services in Ministry of health, while speaking on behalf of State Minister Sarah Opendi the State Minister for General Duties in the Ministry of Health, appreciated She Decides movement and partners for advocating for the rights of women and girls.
He appreciated the She Decides Movement for the key role it’s playing in creating a platform where girls and women can be empowered to take on bold and life/career impacting decisions through giving right information, education and life skills to make informed and powerful decision that are key in supporting them to realize their full potential.
This includes having access to modern contraception, to sexual and relationship literacy, maternal and child health services and safe abortion among other SRHR services, Dr. Olara Explained.
He also noted that there is need to remember that more than 3 in 10 people in Uganda are young people of age 10-24 years, making Uganda one of youngest countries in the world hence the need to ensure that the right investments are made for the empowerment of these young people to enable them explore possibilities and full fill their potential.
Dr Victoria Namugala from the school of Women Gender studies Makerere University called on to women to make use of the justice system as the first channel, through which women rights can be achieved. She said, for women to confidently stand to their rights, they need the affirmation that justice system is there to serve them.
“Let’s make it easier for girls to access justice. For many victims of violence, justice has remained a nightmare due to prolonged processes, judgement and costs involved. For instance, asking the victim to prove that she was defiled and did not consent is tricky and victims will forever shy away”.
The Commissioner of Police in Charge of Community Policing Department, Hadijja Namutebi implored police officers to serve diligently and emphasized Uganda Police Force’s commitment to working together with communities in addressing Sexual and Gender based Violence and child trafficking that largely affects young girls