Parents have been urged by the Commissioner of Maternal and Child Health in the Ministry of Health, Dr Jessica Nsungwa, to introduce sexual education to their children at the age of five, although the policy recommends eight years.
According to her, children in this generation are exposed to social media and other forms of communication such as TVs and radios, which necessitate parental guidance at a tender age.
Speaking during the launch of the stand-up project aimed at promoting access and enjoyment of sexual reproductive health rights by adolescent girls and young women, Dr Nsungwa explained that if “we are going to change a child of 10 years, there is a need to start very early”.
“That means that our health workers who deal with children also need to be trained on how to deal with adolescent health issues and at an opportune time, you should be able to speak to these children and counsel them at the age of of five years, give them information, life skills among others,” she said.
She also observed the need to integrate adolescent issues in all programs, since three-quarters of the population are young people.
According to her, cultural norms are very key in promoting adolescent health observing that some cultures are detrimental as they hide information and openness to young people.
Dr Nsungwa applauded the Canadian government through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) for supporting the campaign to promote adolescent health through improved awareness.
The project is aimed at addressing key gender inequality and human rights issues, particularly harmful social norms traditional practices, and taboos regarding gender and sexuality, lack of adequate information on access to comprehensive SRHR services and lack of meaningful decision-making, power by young women, and girls regarding their health and sexuality.
The joint project funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) will be implemented by Oxfam, Care Uganda, ADRA Uganda and Right to play and will run for seven years in Uganda, Mozambique, and Canada.
ADRA will be implementing areas aimed at increasing the awareness of health-related rights for vulnerable persons, particularly those facing intersectional oppression due to gender or sexual orientation, mental or physical disability or indignity.
“This will empower individuals and communities to advocate for better sexual and reproductive health services and policies and will educate and encourage young people to engage with their communities and their governments to make their voices heard,” said Frank Kiggundu, ADRA Uganda’s Acting Country Director
Kiggundu applauded Global Affairs and ADRA Canada for selecting ADRA Uganda as a trusted partner to make a positive difference in thousands of lives.
Sylvia Masika, the Programme Manager at Right to Play stated that the program will be implemented in Adjumani and Buyende and will use a gender-transformative and rights-based approach to support sexual and reproductive health and rights for adolescent youth, particularly girls and young women