Source: Daily Monitor
Netherland based organisation has opened its first office in Africa (Uganda) to educate students on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Speaking at the opening of the offices in Lubowa on Thursday, Ms Dianda Veldman the Rutgers executive director said they chose Uganda because of its fast
growing population, high prevalence of teenage pregnancies, early marriage, high maternal mortality and morbidity rate.
"For the 15 years we have been partnering in with SRHS organisations in Uganda, we have realised a lot needs to be done to address issues affecting the young generation. Most of young people do not know how to make independent and informed choices on their bodies," Ms Veldman said.
Ms Veldman said people who are unable to fulfill their sexual, reproductive health and rights tend to be both less productive and unable to earn a living, something that keeps families and general economies in situation of perpetual poverty.
"We are going to train health and educational professionals how to deliver sexual and reproductive health care to young people. Our innovations that use ICT in schools and health clinics will open up new ways of reaching students with the right sexual and reproductive health information and services at the right time," she noted.
She added that the Uganda office will also cater for all East African countries because they face similar challenges.
Mr Anslem Wandega who was appointed as Country Director said approximately Shs5bn will be spent annually in sexual and reproductive health information and services particular for young people.
"We are going to partner with organisations that have youth empowerment programmes. The project is to handle a number of themes including, sexuality education for young people, preventing gender violence and promoting positive involvement of men and boys by changing their view on masculinity," Mr Wandega said.
Mr Alphons Hennekens the Netherlands Ambassador to Uganda urged government to crack down on perpetrators of girl-child sexual violence.
"Schools are supposed to a safe environment for students. But the reality is that school girls fall victims of sexual crimes committed by teachers and male schoolmates. Victims of rape have often nowhere to go. They are stigmatized and don't get the support nor the justice they need and deserve," Mr Hennekens said.
Mr Lambert Grijns, Dutch SRHR and HIV/ ADIDS Ambassador applauded Reach a handa Uganda (RAHU) for their commitment in sensitizing teenagers about the dangers of early sex, teenage pregnancy and unsafe abortion.
"It is time government started sensitizing girls and women on safe abortion because many have lost life or physical damage as a result of unsafe abortion," Mr Grijns said.
Dr Chris Baryomunsi the state minister for health promised that his ministry will support all organisations that address sexual and reproductive health and rights issues in the country.