Ugandan Citizens Engaging Decision Makers to End Teenage Pregnancy — Part 2
In a country where 25% of all teen girls are pregnant or already mothers, White Ribbon Alliance Uganda is changing society through the “Act Now to End Teenage Pregnancy” movement. This multi-part series by WRA Communication Manager Faridah Luyiga reveals the step-by-step actions taken to engage more 120,000 people and make the Prime Minister take notice.
A Multi-Sectoral Approach to End Teenage Pregnancy
Multi-sectoral approach
With clear judgment that a multi-sectoral approach was needed to address teenage pregnancies, and evidence showing change is more effective when driven from citizens, WRA Uganda employed specific strategies in the Act Now to End Teenage Pregnancy campaign including, supporting average citizens — especially adolescents — to push the relevant stakeholders to agree to a multi-sectoral plan then supporting policy makers with evidence on how to address gaps in existing policies.
Through a series of diverse collection methods, including U-Report, an online petition, and hard copy signature collection forms, citizens petitioned the Rt. Hon Prime Minister to exercise his powers under Article 108 A of the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, which mandates him to coordinate and implement Government policies across ministries, departments and other public institutions. They requested he urgently convene and coordinate the Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Sports, Labour and Social Development, and Finance, Planning and Economic Development, to work together and actively involve young people to reduce teen pregnancy.
On August 9, 2016, 120,000 signatures were handed over to Hon Sarah Opendi, the State Minister of Primary Health Care, who was representing the Prime Minister Dr. Ruhakana Rugunda at a National Youth Dialogue organized by WRA Uganda together with youth-led organizations under the umbrella of African Youth and Adolescents Network of Population and Development (AfriYAN-Uganda Chapter).
Stakeholders support campaign
In speaking on behalf of the Prime Minister, Hon. Opendi, declared, “I pledge to give my support to ensuring a concerted, well-coordinated effort to end teenage pregnancy by the key ministries, is developed, funded and implemented. Although the Government has a key role of ensuring a coordinated effort at policy level, each one of us as parents, faith-based organizations, communities, civil society organizations, United Nations agencies and development partners, and most importantly the adolescents themselves, must play their part.”
Hon. Opendi, in her own remarks went on to say, “It is very unfortunate that our girls are getting pregnant at a very tender age. We have been in this campaign with the First Lady and the Speaker of Parliament. Ending this [teenage pregnancy] requires a multi-sectoral approach but most importantly, it starts with the individual. Our work is to talk to you, but the ultimate responsibility lies with you. We shall end teenage pregnancy if you listen.
“The campaign to end teenage pregnancy started a while ago but we are not where we should be,” she added. “A little effort is still needed. We know the Ministries of Health, Gender, Labour and Social Development, Education and Sports, Finance, Planning and Economic Development are critical, but we must add one key ministry, i.e. the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Without a law enforcement agency doing their work as required, we cannot make the progress we all desire. The vice is partially continuing because even when a girl reports at the Police, cases are sometimes not handled properly and others are lost along the way. The Ministry of Internal affairs must be part and parcel of us.”
The Commissioner for Youth and Children Affairs, Mr Fred Machulu who represented the Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, noted that the issue of ending teenage pregnancy is closely related to some of the initiatives they have at the Ministry of Gender, such as ending early marriages. He pledged: “We shall work together to end teenage pregnancy and I will be with you all the time.”
The Vice Chairperson of AfriYAN Uganda Chapter Patrick Mwesigye also said, “With Uganda being home to close to 20 million adolescents and young people, addressing our needs including sexual reproductive health and rights is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and improving the health and well-being of women, children and adolescents.”
Ultimately, the Act Now to End Teenage Pregnancy campaign hopes to contribute to the reduction of maternal and newborn mortality by reducing the number of teenage pregnancies. We envision a time when adolescents benefit from sexual and reproductive health services that are responsive to their local realities and are driven by their choices, experiences and perceptions of quality.
With all government sectors committed to ending teen pregnancy, WRA Uganda set about to engage and grow a grassroots movement. Read Part 3 to see how they did it.
