Sustainable Development Goals: Taming Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda
New Vision is highlighting the challenge of teenage pregnancy in Uganda, to find a solution to the problem that costs Ugandan taxpayers up to sh250b a year in healthcare.
Introduction
Today, Agnes Kyotalengerire sheds light on what Uganda is doing to tame teenage pregnancy.
The Challenge of Teenage Pregnancy in Uganda
Teenage pregnancy has over the years remained one of Uganda’s biggest challenges, with data revealing that the national teenage pregnancy rate has stagnated at 25%, according to the Uganda Health Demographic Survey 2016 report, despite commitments to reduce the figure to 15% by 2020.
Community Engagement and Interventions
Kamuli district officials are engaging the community and key stakeholders to discuss causes of teenage pregnancy and its associated complications. Discussions are centered around keeping girls in school, given that it is the safest place to guard them from the reach of preying men.
Kamuli district in Busoga sub-region is notorious for registering high numbers of teenage pregnancy. In 2021, the district registered a total of 6,511 teenage pregnancies, and in 2022, the number dropped to 6,314.
The district has taken a multi-sectoral approach, encouraging the education department, religious and cultural leaders, as well as the security department to always talk about the issue of teenage pregnancy on their platforms whenever they get an opportunity.
Efforts by Civil Societies
A number of agencies have embraced the fight to ensure that teenage mothers are given a second chance. Plan International Uganda focuses on preventing teenage pregnancy and child marriages by providing information, encouraging family planning services, and supporting re-entry programs for pregnant teenagers to go back to school.
African Youth Development Link (AYDL) works to promote the health and well-being of adolescent mothers living with HIV and their children in Bugiri and Busia districts. They provide support, training, and access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services.
Menstrual Hygiene and Management
The lack of access to menstrual commodities and services leads to absenteeism, dropping out of school, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy. Efforts have been made to distribute sanitary pads, teach menstrual hygiene practices, and provide clean water and facilities in schools.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV)
The gender ministry has enhanced dialogue with key actors, including religious and cultural leaders, to prevent and respond to SGBV. Shelters have been set up to rehabilitate young girls and women who are victims of SGBV.
Transactional Sex
Engaging in transactional sex exposes young girls to risks such as low self-esteem, gender-based violence, and multiple sexual partners. Efforts have been made to provide vocational training and economic opportunities for vulnerable girls.
Sexuality Education Framework
The education ministry has integrated sexuality education into the curriculum to raise awareness about the factors that contribute to teenage pregnancy. The framework equips students with life skills to navigate through adolescence.
Government Sectors Embrace the Fight
The government has developed a national strategic plan involving various sectors to support women and adolescent girls. Efforts include community mobilization, parenting programs, and the promotion of economic opportunities for young girls and women.
The health ministry has rolled out key family care practices, while the gender ministry is spearheading community mobilization and mindset change. The education ministry is focusing on the right to education and integrating sexuality education into the curriculum.
Conclusion
Taming teenage pregnancy in Uganda requires a multi-sectoral approach and collaboration between government sectors, civil societies, communities, and key stakeholders. Efforts to address the issue align with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being), Goal 4 (Quality Education), Goal 5 (Gender Equality), and Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
This article was produced with support from WAN-IFRA Women In News Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusive (GEDI) grant. However, the views expressed are not those of the sponsors.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. Specific Targets:
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.
- SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Indicators:
- Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
- Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development, including gender equality and human rights, are mainstreamed at all levels in national education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment.
- Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of women of reproductive age (aged 15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods. |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | Target 4.7: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. | Indicator 4.7.1: Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development, including gender equality and human rights, are mainstreamed at all levels in national education policies, curricula, teacher education, and student assessment. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | Indicator 5.6.1: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation. |
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Source: newvision.co.ug
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