Every year since 1989, July 11 is celebrated as World Population Day. The day was established by the then-Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme and seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of population issues.
The global theme for this year is ‘Family Planning is a Human Right’ which inspired Uganda’s national theme which is; Leaving Nobody behind: Improving Service Delivery and Accountability commemorated at Bobi Community Polytechnic Playground along Gulu-Kampala Road in Omoro District.
We were honored to take part in two pre-World Population Day activities focusing on young people and these were;
The National Dialogue on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights of Young People
This was organized together with the Dutch Embassy, National Population Council and UNFPA Uganda on June 24th at Kabira Country Club. Here are some key highlights.
Dialogue on SRHR of young people is underway. Pre event for World Population Day. Looking forward to a good and interesting discussion! #WPDUg2018 #YoungPeopleMatter @reachahand @NLinUganda @UNFPAUganda @Amref_Uganda pic.twitter.com/hmS1MzIRCD
— Henk Jan Bakker (@HenkJanBakker3) June 21, 2018
Panelists taking on their seats for a discussion on leaving no Young People Behind. Strengthening SRH Service Delivery and Accountability for Adolescents and Youth. Will keep you updated #WPDUg2018 #YoungPeopleMatter @GAA_Uganda @PlanUganda @TMFUganda pic.twitter.com/OC6wdywTBv
— Joyce Atimango (@JAtimango) June 21, 2018
The Pre-World Population Day national dialogue on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Young People is underway at Kabira Country Club. Follow via #WPDUg2018 #YoungPeopleMatter (Photos by @reachahand) pic.twitter.com/CdB8OSQeI6
— Humphrey Nabimanya (@HumNabimanya) June 21, 2018
How can we strengthen sexual reproductive health service delivery and accountability for adolescents and youth in Uganda? ?? Make your contributions via #WPDUg2018 #YoungPeopleMatter pic.twitter.com/5CqHnSKnPg
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 21, 2018
The realities and facts about young people's #SRHR are right before us. We must do something about it @HenkJanBakker3 tells @UNFPAUganda @NLinUganda & @NPCSecUG #WPDUg2018 dialogue. pic.twitter.com/I7ayLEOUn0
— UNFPA Uganda (@UNFPAUganda) June 21, 2018
The Youth Summit
On June 28th, we shifted the campus to Kitgum District for the Pre Youth Summit attended by youth champions from Northern Uganda and Kampala for a learning and accountability dialogue where they had field visits in the morning and shared their findings with district leaders. Held at the district headquarters Hall, It was the first time the AfriYAN and WAY Youth Champions met for the first time to learn from each other. It attracted stakeholders ranging from civil society, district officials, health workers and so much. Here are the highlights.
Touch down in Kitgum District led us straight to the Deputy LCV's office for a courtesy visit. We had a chat on the WAY Programme launched yesterday, follow up on our entry meeting last month & plan for tomorrow's Pre World Population Day Youth Summit. #LiveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/4CJ3ea2HFP
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 27, 2018
Ahead of our Pre World Population Day Youth Summit this afternoon, our Youth champions together with @AfriYANUG visited key centers in Kitgum to learn about the different SRHR issues. We visited the Main Market, Health center and district officials. #LiveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/wiEc3lB706
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 28, 2018
The youth champions are now presenting findings from the outreaches they conducted in the morning. The group that visited the health centre, noted that the youth corner is not stocked/equipped with information and materials on SRHR for young people. #LiveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/hq45RySNnN
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 28, 2018
After their field visits, the youth champions presented their findings based on the interaction with all the categories of people interviewed. Below are flip charts with info on key questions they asked. #LiveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/9zGkoT9hJY
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 28, 2018
Hon. Bosco Oketa Yot the District Youth Councillor and Deputy Speaker, mentioned that one thing limiting young people from accessing government projects & programs for young people, is information gap and poor attitude among them. #LiveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/IdCBDTJobh
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 28, 2018
George William Okidi, an LC1 and representative of the cultural leaders & the elderly on the panel, noted that young people "do not listen and rush to make decisions without consulting elders." According to him, young people need to be slow. #LiveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/0Dzt4GlxH2
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 28, 2018
Neima Likiso, a youth champion and refugee from Rhino Camp, mentioned that many young girls do not have access to information like menstrual hygiene management in refugee communities and don't know who to talk to. This leaves them vulnerable. #LiveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/nVYbgbIXzw
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 28, 2018
We concluded the Youth Summit with a group photo and we were privileged to be hosted by Pol FM for a full hour talk show to talk about key lessons and the WAY Programme and how the community can be involved. #LIveYourDreamUG #WPDUg2018 pic.twitter.com/8Kl6wUFN67
— Reach A Hand, Uganda (@reachahand) June 28, 2018
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