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Uganda

Articles by Uganda

Uganda ilga

Uganda: denying NGO registration fails democratic principles

Geneva/London, 15 March 2024 - The Ugandan Court of Appeal’s decision to deny Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) legal registration fails the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution and should be reversed, ILGA World and The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said today.  Despite having worked to protect the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions for more than twenty years, Sexual Minorities Uganda has repeatedly been denied legal recognition: first in 2012 and then in 2018, when the High Court upheld the initial decision by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. Six years later, in March 2024, the Court of Appeal shut down SMUG’s hope to register and be recognised as an independent legal entity under the law. “For civil society organisations working on sexual, gender and bodily diversity issues, registration allows them to serve more effectively those parts of societies that States fail to protect,” said ILGA World and IPPF. “Without this opportunity, they cannot conduct their activities formally or receive funding for their work. Ultimately, this decision restricts freedom of association and further pushes those who are already targeted by discriminatory laws to the margins of society.” “The Constitution of Uganda,” continue ILGA World and IPPF, “claims that ‘The State shall be based on democratic principles which empower and encourage the active participation of all citizens at all levels in their own governance.’ Ultimately, the extremely disappointing decision to reject SMUG’s registration goes in the entirely opposite direction. We are in solidarity with the organisation and join them in calling out this missed opportunity to protect better the rights of some of the most vulnerable populations in Ugandan society.” In Uganda, registration is banned for those organisations with goals that allegedly are “in contravention of the laws”. In January 2023, a report by the NGO Bureau detailed how the agency investigated and acted upon several organisations for promoting the rights of LGBTI people and recommended authorities take stricter measures against NGOs that "promote LGBTIQ activities" — including stepping up the criminalisation of activism. A few months later, the Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law, further cracking down also on organisations found guilty of “promoting homosexuality”. These actions against LGBTI human rights NGOs are part of a larger crackdown on Ugandan civil society. In November 2019, the Ugandan government shut down more than 12,000 organisations. Such actions have since continued, with as many as 54 organisations suspended in a single day in August 2021. “Across the world, State and non-state actors are mobilising voter bases by attacking our identities and freedoms: we see the same tactics at play here, too,” ILGA World and IPPF conclude. “At this critical time, politicians need to focus on the things that matter – a stable economy and vibrant communities — rather than attacking those who work to support vulnerable parts of societies. LGBTI people and cisgender heterosexual women and girls are marginalised and excluded by policies, legislation and narratives that strip away reproductive rights and criminalise sexuality and gender. But our communities stand united to defend and secure democratic and economic rights for all.”   Notes to editors: ILGA World is a global federation of more than 2,000 organisations from 170 countries and territories, advocating for the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics worldwide. https://ilga.org  The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952, and today, it is a movement of 150 member associations and collaborative partners with a presence in over 146 countries. https://www.ippf.org/    Contacts for media enquiries: ILGA World: Daniele Paletta, communications manager, [email protected] IPPF: Alice Ackermann, communications adviser, [email protected] 

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01 March 2024

Youth Declaration 2023: Our pledge to drive change across the globe

UGANDA LGBTQ steve kabuye

Standing United Against Hate: IPPF Africa Region Condemns Brutal Attack on Ugandan LGBTQ+ Activist

Nairobi, Kenya, 08 January 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) condemns in the strongest terms the brutal knife attack on Ugandan LGBTQ+ activist Steven Kabuye. This shocking act of violence is an affront to basic human rights and dignity. “What happened to Steven is unacceptable and inexcusable,” said Marie-Evelyne PETRUS-BARRY, IPPF Africa Regional Director. “No one should face threats, violence or persecution because of who they are or who they love. Steven was exercising his basic right to live openly and authentically - a right that belongs to everyone.” Kabuye was stabbed multiple times by unknown assailants and left for dead on his way to work on January 3rd, 2023. This comes after Kabuye reported receiving death threats related to his LGBTQ+ advocacy work. Sadly, this brutal attack reflects a broader climate of intolerance and hostility towards LGBTQ+ people in Uganda. Just last year, Uganda instituted one of the world’s most oppressive anti-LGBTQ+ laws, criminalizing same-sex relations and “aggravated homosexuality.” “Such regressive legislation breeds discrimination and violence,” said Marie-Evelyne PETRUS-BARRY. “We call on the Ugandan authorities to urgently investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. But more broadly, the government must reconsider laws that deny LGBTQ+ people their basic human rights and dignity - universal rights. No one deserves to live in fear because of who they are.” IPPFAR stands firmly with the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda and across Africa. All people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserve to live freely and safely. We believe reproductive rights and broader human rights are interlinked and universal. IPPFAR calls on civil society, faith institutions, cultural leaders and policymakers to: Unequivocally condemn violence against LGBTQ+ individuals Advocate repeal of laws criminalizing homosexuality Push for legal protections against LGBTQ+ discrimination Support health, psychosocial and security assistance for LGBTQ+ people Amplify LGBTQ+ voices and stories in national discourse “Only by embracing our shared dignity can we build a just society. There is no room for homophobia, transphobia or exclusion of any kind,” Marie-Evelyne PETRUS-BARRY concluded. IPPFAR stands ready to support efforts toward a more equal, inclusive Uganda where everyone can enjoy their rights and freedoms in full. Most urgently, our hearts remain with Steven Kabuye and the entire LGBTQ+ community in Uganda during this difficult time. Violence and dehumanization will not silence your voices or quash your spirit. Hatred cannot defeat love if we stand united for one another’s humanity. END For more on IPPFAR's statements on the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda: 23 March 2023 - Uganda: IPPF Africa Region strongly urges the government not to enact the new harmful anti – LGBTIQ+ law 10 May 2023 - Uganda: IPPF Africa Region Urges President Museveni to Veto Harmful New Anti-Rights Law Targeting LGBTIQ+ Community 30 May 2023 - IPPF Africa Condemns Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act as a Violation of Human Rights And Sexual And Reproductive Rights For further information or to request an interview, please contact: - Moctar MENTA, Media Advisor - IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFAR) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 0113 896 555 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high-quality, youth-focused, and gender-sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, and United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Uganda law

IPPF Africa Condemns Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act as a Violation of Human Rights And Sexual And Reproductive Rights

Nairobi, Kenya: 30 May 2023 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is appalled and deeply disturbed by the recent enactment of the anti-homosexuality act 2023 by President Museveni of Uganda. This regressive law represents a grave violation of human rights and sexual and reproductive rights, affecting not only the LGBTIQ+ community but all Ugandans. The draconian and abhorrent provisions of this law criminalize same-sex relationships and any promotion of homosexuality, subjecting individuals to severe penalties, including life imprisonment. Its implementation will have dire consequences, fostering a climate of homophobia, hatred, and hate crimes. The law instills fear not only among those directly targeted and their families but also among health workers providing essential Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in Uganda. IPPFAR is extremely concerned that this law blatantly violates numerous human rights, including the right to bodily autonomy. The right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, protection against arbitrary arrest, and access to health services are all undermined, compromising the full realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights. "The IPPF Africa region vehemently condemns the anti-homosexuality act 2023, which targets the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies in Uganda. This law marks a sorrowful day for Uganda and its people," stated Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. "Targeting a community based solely on their shared characteristics is extremely dangerous and an undeniable violation of human rights. Instead, we should strive to empower all members of our society to be positive contributors, rather than driving them into hiding and marginalization," Petrus-Barry added. Since March 2023, IPPF has witnessed a surge in physical attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety of civil society organizations, and an alarming increase in hate speech targeting LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies. The anti-homosexuality act 2023 is discriminatory and flagrantly violates the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Uganda constitution. By isolating itself from the international community, Uganda risks alienating potential collaborators and donors. Already, the U.S. Government has expressed intentions to suspend development funding to Uganda, including through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund and UNAIDs, potentially jeopardizing the progress in the fight against the HIV pandemic in Uganda. As the foremost provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, IPPFAR is immensely concerned that this law will deter individuals from seeking vital SRH services due to fear of being targeted. This will inevitably hinder access to life-saving services, including HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, provision of antiretroviral therapy, contraceptive services, and accurate SRH information. Moreover, the law obstructs healthcare professionals from fulfilling their duties and providing high-quality care in a safe and confidential environment. IPPFAR joins the chorus of condemnation against this harmful and regressive law. The safety, health, and dignity of all Ugandans must remain paramount. IPPF stands resolutely with the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies in Uganda and worldwide during this challenging time. END For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920   ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

UGANDA OK

Uganda: IPPF Africa Region Urges President Museveni to Veto Harmful New Anti-Rights Law Targeting LGBTIQ+ Community

Nairobi, Kenya: 10 May 2023 – On 2 May 2023, the Ugandan parliament once again passed a detrimental and dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ law. This follows the revision of the March 2023 law, which was sent back to parliament by President Museveni for amendments, but still remains alarming. The law criminalises same-sex relationships, and the promotion of homosexuality with prison terms of up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Read IPPFAR’s previous statement here. IPPF Africa region (IPPFAR) remains extremely concerned about the violation of several international human rights that would be ushered in by this law, including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, to protection against arbitrary arrest, and to access health services, thus compromising the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights. In March 2023, IPPFAR warned that the proposed anti-LGBTIQ+ law would send a dangerous message and encourage hatred. Unfortunately, since then, IPPF has noted an increase in physical attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety and security of civil society organisations, and an increase in hate speech towards LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies. As the leading provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, IPPFAR is deeply concerned that the passing of this law will deter people from accessing potentially life-saving SRH services for fear of being targeted, thereby  detrimentally affecting access to the range of sexual and reproductive health and services in Uganda, including testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, the provision of antiretroviral therapy to HIV positive persons, contraceptive service utilisation and access to accurate SRH information. The law hinders clinicians and healthcare professionals from fulfilling their roles and providing high quality patient care in a safe and confidential environment. “The IPPF Africa region condemns the new anti-rights law targeting the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and urges President Museveni to veto it promptly. This law will undo progress made in Uganda with regards to sexual and reproductive health and rights and will place many Ugandans in danger and at risk of several human rights violations”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. Once again, IPPFAR adds its voice to the widespread condemnation of this harmful and retrogressive law and urges President Museveni to veto it. The safety, heath, and dignity of all Ugandans must remain paramount. IPPF continues to stand with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this time. END   For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Uganda law
10 May 2023

Uganda: IPPF Africa Region Urges President Museveni to Veto Harmful New Anti-Rights Law Targeting LGBTIQ+ Community

Nairobi, Kenya: 10 May 2023 – On 2 May 2023, the Ugandan parliament once again passed a detrimental and dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ law. This follows the revision of the March 2023 law, which was sent back to parliament by President Museveni for amendments, but still remains alarming. The law criminalises same-sex relationships, and the promotion of homosexuality with prison terms of up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Read IPPFAR’s previous statement here. IPPF Africa region (IPPFAR) remains extremely concerned about the violation of several international human rights that would be ushered in by this law, including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, to protection against arbitrary arrest, and to access health services, thus compromising the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights. In March 2023, IPPFAR warned that the proposed anti-LGBTIQ+ law would send a dangerous message and encourage hatred. Unfortunately, since then, IPPF has noted an increase in physical attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety and security of civil society organisations, and an increase in hate speech towards LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies. As the leading provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, IPPFAR is deeply concerned that the passing of this law will deter people from accessing potentially life-saving SRH services for fear of being targeted, thereby  detrimentally affecting access to the range of sexual and reproductive health and services in Uganda, including testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, the provision of antiretroviral therapy to HIV positive persons, contraceptive service utilisation and access to accurate SRH information. The law hinders clinicians and healthcare professionals from fulfilling their roles and providing high quality patient care in a safe and confidential environment. “The IPPF Africa region condemns the new anti-rights law targeting the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and urges President Museveni to veto it promptly. This law will undo progress made in Uganda with regards to sexual and reproductive health and rights and will place many Ugandans in danger and at risk of several human rights violations”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. Once again, IPPFAR adds its voice to the widespread condemnation of this harmful and retrogressive law and urges President Museveni to veto it. The safety, heath, and dignity of all Ugandans must remain paramount. IPPF continues to stand with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this time. END   For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.  

Uganda ok

Uganda: IPPF Africa Region strongly urges the government not to enact the new harmful anti – LGBTIQ+ law

Nairobi, Kenya: 23 March 2023 – On 21st March 2023 the Ugandan parliament approved a law which, if enacted, would criminalise people for identifying as a member of the LGBTIQ+ community. The proposed law has been through two readings in parliament and is awaiting a third before it is put forward to the President for Assent. If passed, it will be a gross violation of and undermine the human rights and safety of people identifying as LGBTIQ+ in Uganda. IPPF Africa Region is strongly concerned about the numerous ways in which the passing of this law will violate international human rights including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, and will compromise the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Additionally, IPPF is extremely concerned about the dangerous message the law sends. In addition to criminalising consent, it encourages hatred, may escalate violence and gender-based violence targeting persons from LGBTIQ+ communities, popular justice, hinders the right to a fair trial, makes it easier to target minority groups, and harder for them to access justice and redress for hate crimes. At a time when countries around the world and in Africa are decriminalising same sex relationships, this law, if passed, will be a serious step backwards for Uganda. "IPPF works to ensure the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people – and ensure they have access to the full set of human rights enshrined in international human rights laws”, Said: IPPF’s Africa Regional Director, Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry. “IPPF is willing to work with the Ugandan Government and other stakeholders to ensure that all Ugandan people can access their sexual and reproductive rights without fear, discrimination, or restraint", added Petrus-Barry. IPPF strongly urges the President of Uganda to not sign off on this discriminatory law, uphold and safeguard the Universal Declaration and African Charter on Human Rights, and treat all Ugandans equally. IPPF stands with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this difficult time. END For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Lango Leaders
07 March 2023

Empowering Men to Accelerate Gender Equality in Northern Uganda

In a bustling meeting room in Lira, Northern Uganda, a group of cultural leaders from the Lango kingdoms are engaged in a lively discussion. The topic at hand is sexual and reproductive health, the advancement of women and girls, and the health of their families. Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), the International Planned Parenthood Federation member association, has organised and is facilitating the sessions through their team and community health workers. The situation of Women and Girls in Northern Uganda In Northern Uganda, the Lango and Acholi kingdoms are the strongholds of the Lango and Acholi communities. The kingdoms have a rich cultural heritage observing ancient local traditions, practices, and social norms, however some of these norms are restrictive for women’s development and equality such as wife inheritance, child marriage, discouraged education of girls, dangerous traditional termination of pregnancy and harmful practices that halt female development is still the order of the day. Uganda has a high unmet need for family planning, with high teenage pregnancy rates, a Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 336[i] and the unmet need for family planning stands at 31.1[ii] and yet many view comprehensive sexuality education as the promotion of early sexual debut and the promotion of engagement with multiple partners. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded WISH2ACTION programme seeks to scale up integrated sexual and reproductive services to the most hard-to-reach populations including the youth under 20, people living in poverty, persons with disabilities and those in humanitarian crisis. The programme aims to empower women and girls to make their own choices on shaping their family from how many children to have, to when they would like to have them. As is the case in many cultures, harmful social norms and practices form the basis of gender inequality. The WISH2ACTION programme is implemented in Uganda by RHU and is working towards accelerating gender equality in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), by addressing the root cause. To achieve this goal, the programme has recognised the crucial role that men play in shaping the lives of women and girls in Northern Uganda. WISH2ACTION is working to form a pool of men peer cultural mobilisers to act as SRHR champions in these communities. They have engaged cultural leaders in educative dialogue sessions. An Innovative Approach To demystify myths and misconceptions around family planning, WISH2ACTION has collaborated with Intrahealth Uganda to introduce an innovative game called Together We Decide. This interactive tool provides men with sexual and reproductive information and advocates for gender equality by demonstrating how men should have health discussions with their partners and how to keep their families healthy. As the cultural leaders play the game, they are prompted to think about the realities of having children, the economics of child-rearing, and the importance of contraceptive use, birth spacing, subsequent pregnancies, and the health of their children. The game is played with a board, tokens, dice, and cards. The leaders are divided into households and instructed to build families and wealth as through their moves in the game. As the cultural leaders play the game, they are prompted through the cards to think of the realities of having children, the economics, the importance of contraceptive use, healthy birth spacing, subsequent pregnancies and the overall health of their children. At various stages of the game, the facilitators play video on the audio cards to reinforce the information shared and the importance of sexual and reproductive health. As the game ends, the leaders tally up the wealth per child, discuss what they have learned and ask questions. They are encouraged to share the information with their partners and bring them to clinics or outreaches to receive the information first-hand.  A multiple-pronged approach The results of the approach have been promising so far. To date, 24 clan leaders, including the ministers of health from these kingdoms, have been trained in conducting community-based dialogues. In addition, the programme has engaged and empowered women and girls in these communities through small group dialogues, market events, and listening sessions, utilising front-line workers who resonate with them such as community health volunteers, peer educators and satisfied clients. The community engagement is geared to creating awareness of SRHR, understanding their barriers, and linking them to service delivery points where they can access affordable services. As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the progress of women and girls everywhere, we acknowledge that there is much more work that needs to be done to achieve gender equality for all. Taking an inclusive and innovative approach brings all stakeholders to the table and empowers men and women alike to fight for gender equality. With the engagement of all stakeholders, we stand a better chance at empowering the women and girls of Northern Uganda. [i] STATcompiler 2016   [ii] https://www.familyplanning2020.org/uganda  

sexual-reproductive-health-Africa
29 November 2022

Ebola outbreak in Uganda: how sexual and reproductive health workers are at increased risk

[Field Diary] by Alice Janvrin, Humanitarian Technical Lead, International Planned Parenthood Federation Each day, Ugandans are watching as the Ebola cases mount at an alarming rate. Thus far, 139 cases have been confirmed, though it is feared that there are likely many more. Ebola is a deadly virus which spreads through direct physical contact with the body fluids of an infected person with symptoms oftentimes similar to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns and complications, such as a sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, obstetric complications, miscarriages and most famously: bleeding. I was recently in Uganda, working alongside Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), IPPF’s Member Association in the country that offers critical and life-saving Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, including access to modern contraceptives, STI diagnosis and treatment, maternal healthcare, including treatment for complications, and abortion care to thousands of women and girls across Uganda. In the RHU-managed facilities, the presence of blood is very common with hundreds of women seeking care every day for pregnancy complications, miscarriages, abortions, and other bleeding caused by side effects of contraception, sexual abuse, or heavy menstruation. As this latest Ebola outbreak evolves, we are likely to see this phenomenon become more common and stigmatized. When patients are suspected of having Ebola, they are sent to testing centers, and if their test comes back as positive, they are sent to Ebola Treatment Centers, where, sadly, many go to die. As a result, the population as a whole fear any contact with suspect Ebola cases. Health workers are particularly at risk. When a patient presents with signs of bleeding to an SRH clinic such as RHUs’, it is for the triage staff and healthcare workers to distinguish whether the bleeding is because of a (reproductive) health issue or Ebola. This type of medical triage presents an impossible conundrum: watch powerlessly the suffering of a patient who may or may not have Ebola while waiting for their referral to the Ebola testing site, or intervene and at times risk their own lives, that of their colleagues, other patients, families. Each medical provider is forced to carry the weight of this decision. I worked alongside over 20 RHU healthcare workers and staff to reinforce Ebola mitigation measures in three of their clinics, Katego and Bwaise Clinic in Kampala and Mityana Clinic in Mityana - to protect themselves and their clients. This included the reintroduction of triage, refreshers on Infection and Prevention of Infection protocols including the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) (adapted for Ebola), and a briefing on risks facing frontline staff. Understanding and being able to manage the new risks that Ebola presents, I witnessed whole clinics bustling with energy as they reinstated their triage and dusted off their temperature guns. Following two years of working alongside COVID-19, RHU frontline workers have an advantage: they are no strangers to triage, PPE and epidemiology and have much of the equipment already positioned in the clinics. However, I witnessed the exhaustion at the prospect of having to face yet another epidemic. “But I am not scared, we know what to do and we survived Covid” said the nurse-in-charge of Mityana Clinic, located in the Central Region of the country. However, Ebola is no COVID-19. Unlike Covid-19, Ebola is not airborne, but rather transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood or saliva. Also, unlike COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the fatality rate is between 41% and 100% (for comparison, the fatality rate of COVID-19 is thought to be between 0.7% and 2%). The complacency that has set in as we all become accustomed to life with COVID-19 creates a false sense of security, especially in the face of this latest epidemic, Ebola. As such, Ugandan healthcare providers must recondition themselves to become acutely conscious of their exposure to bodily fluids. Equally, after the initial panic of watching COVID-19 cases rise and lockdown measures set-in, we all soon realized that most survived; conversely, as the Ebola case count increases, Ugandans are quickly realizing that they may not be so lucky. “It is of vital importance that we support and protect SRH healthcare workers and ensure Ebola does not have an indirect impact on maternal health mortality and we do not lose the gains that we have made”, shared with me Jackson Chekweko, the Executive Director of Reproductive Health Uganda. A message which was echoed by Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry the Regional Director of IPPF Africa Region: “ensuring our frontline workers are trained with the skills and equipment to address this new threat and are safe, is integral to ensuring the continuity of essential and lifesaving SRH services to thousands of women throughout Uganda.” At IPPF, we stand in solidarity with the Government and population of Uganda, and pledge our support to ensure the sustained availability of sexual and reproductive services. Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) is a Member Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.  

sexual-reproductive-health-Africa
26 September 2022

Enhancing Women’s Contraceptive Choice and Access in Uganda through the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Programme

By Samia Khatun, IPPF WISH Head of Region and Moses Wafula (Reproductive Health of Uganda -RHU) WISH SBCC (Social and Behavioural Change Communication) Advisor In celebration of World Contraception Day, we tell the story of a woman reached through the WISH programme in Uganda, and how this journey has impacted on her and her family. Since 2018 The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH)[1] programme enhanced access to modern family planning methods for women, especially young people under 20 years of age, people with disabilities, people living in poverty and those living in humanitarian settings.  The programme aims to empower women and girls to make their own choices on shaping their family from how many children to have, to when they would like to have them. Since its inception the WISH2ACTION programme, led by IPPF, covering 15 countries across East and Southern Africa and Asia, provided 25 million years of contraceptive coverage to couples[2], reached over 2.9m new additional users of contraception, of which nearly 16% were under 20 years of age. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) or number of women accessing modern methods of family planning in Uganda for all women stood at 30.4% in 2020. The Government of Uganda has committed to increasing the ability of women who would like to use modern contraceptive to a rate of 39.6% by 2025, WISH is contributing to this effort. Rose’ Road to Determining Her Future Rose* is a 32-year-old woman living in Buyoga village in Ikumbya, a remote village in North-eastern Uganda. Rose is the second wife in a polygamous marriage. She has been married for 16 years and has seven children with her husband. Her eldest child is 14 years old, and the seventh child was just three weeks old at the time we met Rose. The spacing between each of her children is an average of 15 months. “I had not intended to marry so early, but when I was 16 years old, I travelled to another village for holiday where I met my husband. Months later I realised that I was pregnant and got married.” Having six children, she has struggled to provide for her family. Outreach Clinics Rose first learned about healthy birth spacing in 2019 during a WISH outreach in Ikumbya organised by RHU. A Village Health Team (VHT) informed her about the outreach services coming to Buyoga, she would be able to learn more about different contraceptives and to access free services. During this outreach Rose decided to take a three-year implant following comprehensive counselling on the various contraceptive methods available to her. In April 2021, Rose had decided to have her implant removed as she wished to have another baby. Her youngest child then was almost three years old. She got pregnant with her seventh child. Planning for the future The following year in June 2022, RHU re-visited Buyoga village to conduct an outreach clinic. When Rose learned of the visit, she was determined to receive a contraceptive method that would offer her protection for a long period. Provision of family planning after a woman gives birth in Uganda remains sparse, particularly in the first three weeks after birth (with less than 6% of women accessing post-partum contraception) representing a missed opportunity for a woman to protect herself from an unintended pregnancy in the period she is recovering and taking care of a new baby. Rose and her husband opted for the 5-year implant. She explained “I would like to have one more child in the future. After that I might get a permanent method, so that I can then focus on raising my children and give them the best I can.“ Henry Wasswa, the RHU Busoga Coordinator has noted the importance of the WISH intervention in this region particularly for young people, close to 50% of mothers who attend antenatal are below 20 years. “Community dialogues and outreach services provide an opportunity to close the gap for under privileged adolescent girls and young women to make informed choice and decisions. These women often lack access to quality SRHR (Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights) information and access services as facilities are often too far away and too costly to reach,” he says. In Uganda, WISH has been able to reach approximately 2.1 million family planning users, avert over 1.4 million unintended pregnancies and avert more than 2500 maternal deaths[3], representing a £75 million saving in direct healthcare costs. As we mark World Contraception Day it is important to note that many women and girls still do not have adequate access to contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies. While programmes such as WISH have provided vital services, in the long-term more action is needed by Governments to ensure that young girls and women living in poverty are able to access family planning services for free, family planning is offered to all women post-partum and family planning is budgeted for, such that their global commitments are made a reality to improve the lives of women and girls.    *Featured image: a clinician at Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. [1] The WISH Programme is split into 2 Lots:  Lot 1 (covering 12 countries in West and Central Africa) and Lot 2 commonly referred to as WISH2ACTION (covering 15 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa + Asia). [2] The estimated protection provided by family planning (FP) methods during a one-year period. [3] This figure is inclusive of all WISH service delivery partners in Uganda not just RHU and is generated using the Impact2 model

Uganda ilga

Uganda: denying NGO registration fails democratic principles

Geneva/London, 15 March 2024 - The Ugandan Court of Appeal’s decision to deny Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG) legal registration fails the democratic principles enshrined in the country’s Constitution and should be reversed, ILGA World and The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) said today.  Despite having worked to protect the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions for more than twenty years, Sexual Minorities Uganda has repeatedly been denied legal recognition: first in 2012 and then in 2018, when the High Court upheld the initial decision by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau. Six years later, in March 2024, the Court of Appeal shut down SMUG’s hope to register and be recognised as an independent legal entity under the law. “For civil society organisations working on sexual, gender and bodily diversity issues, registration allows them to serve more effectively those parts of societies that States fail to protect,” said ILGA World and IPPF. “Without this opportunity, they cannot conduct their activities formally or receive funding for their work. Ultimately, this decision restricts freedom of association and further pushes those who are already targeted by discriminatory laws to the margins of society.” “The Constitution of Uganda,” continue ILGA World and IPPF, “claims that ‘The State shall be based on democratic principles which empower and encourage the active participation of all citizens at all levels in their own governance.’ Ultimately, the extremely disappointing decision to reject SMUG’s registration goes in the entirely opposite direction. We are in solidarity with the organisation and join them in calling out this missed opportunity to protect better the rights of some of the most vulnerable populations in Ugandan society.” In Uganda, registration is banned for those organisations with goals that allegedly are “in contravention of the laws”. In January 2023, a report by the NGO Bureau detailed how the agency investigated and acted upon several organisations for promoting the rights of LGBTI people and recommended authorities take stricter measures against NGOs that "promote LGBTIQ activities" — including stepping up the criminalisation of activism. A few months later, the Anti-Homosexuality Act was signed into law, further cracking down also on organisations found guilty of “promoting homosexuality”. These actions against LGBTI human rights NGOs are part of a larger crackdown on Ugandan civil society. In November 2019, the Ugandan government shut down more than 12,000 organisations. Such actions have since continued, with as many as 54 organisations suspended in a single day in August 2021. “Across the world, State and non-state actors are mobilising voter bases by attacking our identities and freedoms: we see the same tactics at play here, too,” ILGA World and IPPF conclude. “At this critical time, politicians need to focus on the things that matter – a stable economy and vibrant communities — rather than attacking those who work to support vulnerable parts of societies. LGBTI people and cisgender heterosexual women and girls are marginalised and excluded by policies, legislation and narratives that strip away reproductive rights and criminalise sexuality and gender. But our communities stand united to defend and secure democratic and economic rights for all.”   Notes to editors: ILGA World is a global federation of more than 2,000 organisations from 170 countries and territories, advocating for the human rights of people of diverse sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and sex characteristics worldwide. https://ilga.org  The International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) is a global healthcare provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Led by a courageous and determined group of women, IPPF was founded in 1952, and today, it is a movement of 150 member associations and collaborative partners with a presence in over 146 countries. https://www.ippf.org/    Contacts for media enquiries: ILGA World: Daniele Paletta, communications manager, [email protected] IPPF: Alice Ackermann, communications adviser, [email protected] 

rect
01 March 2024

Youth Declaration 2023: Our pledge to drive change across the globe

UGANDA LGBTQ steve kabuye

Standing United Against Hate: IPPF Africa Region Condemns Brutal Attack on Ugandan LGBTQ+ Activist

Nairobi, Kenya, 08 January 2024 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) condemns in the strongest terms the brutal knife attack on Ugandan LGBTQ+ activist Steven Kabuye. This shocking act of violence is an affront to basic human rights and dignity. “What happened to Steven is unacceptable and inexcusable,” said Marie-Evelyne PETRUS-BARRY, IPPF Africa Regional Director. “No one should face threats, violence or persecution because of who they are or who they love. Steven was exercising his basic right to live openly and authentically - a right that belongs to everyone.” Kabuye was stabbed multiple times by unknown assailants and left for dead on his way to work on January 3rd, 2023. This comes after Kabuye reported receiving death threats related to his LGBTQ+ advocacy work. Sadly, this brutal attack reflects a broader climate of intolerance and hostility towards LGBTQ+ people in Uganda. Just last year, Uganda instituted one of the world’s most oppressive anti-LGBTQ+ laws, criminalizing same-sex relations and “aggravated homosexuality.” “Such regressive legislation breeds discrimination and violence,” said Marie-Evelyne PETRUS-BARRY. “We call on the Ugandan authorities to urgently investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice. But more broadly, the government must reconsider laws that deny LGBTQ+ people their basic human rights and dignity - universal rights. No one deserves to live in fear because of who they are.” IPPFAR stands firmly with the LGBTQ+ community in Uganda and across Africa. All people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, deserve to live freely and safely. We believe reproductive rights and broader human rights are interlinked and universal. IPPFAR calls on civil society, faith institutions, cultural leaders and policymakers to: Unequivocally condemn violence against LGBTQ+ individuals Advocate repeal of laws criminalizing homosexuality Push for legal protections against LGBTQ+ discrimination Support health, psychosocial and security assistance for LGBTQ+ people Amplify LGBTQ+ voices and stories in national discourse “Only by embracing our shared dignity can we build a just society. There is no room for homophobia, transphobia or exclusion of any kind,” Marie-Evelyne PETRUS-BARRY concluded. IPPFAR stands ready to support efforts toward a more equal, inclusive Uganda where everyone can enjoy their rights and freedoms in full. Most urgently, our hearts remain with Steven Kabuye and the entire LGBTQ+ community in Uganda during this difficult time. Violence and dehumanization will not silence your voices or quash your spirit. Hatred cannot defeat love if we stand united for one another’s humanity. END For more on IPPFAR's statements on the Anti-Homosexuality Act in Uganda: 23 March 2023 - Uganda: IPPF Africa Region strongly urges the government not to enact the new harmful anti – LGBTIQ+ law 10 May 2023 - Uganda: IPPF Africa Region Urges President Museveni to Veto Harmful New Anti-Rights Law Targeting LGBTIQ+ Community 30 May 2023 - IPPF Africa Condemns Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act as a Violation of Human Rights And Sexual And Reproductive Rights For further information or to request an interview, please contact: - Moctar MENTA, Media Advisor - IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFAR) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 0113 896 555 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high-quality, youth-focused, and gender-sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, and United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Uganda law

IPPF Africa Condemns Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Act as a Violation of Human Rights And Sexual And Reproductive Rights

Nairobi, Kenya: 30 May 2023 – The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is appalled and deeply disturbed by the recent enactment of the anti-homosexuality act 2023 by President Museveni of Uganda. This regressive law represents a grave violation of human rights and sexual and reproductive rights, affecting not only the LGBTIQ+ community but all Ugandans. The draconian and abhorrent provisions of this law criminalize same-sex relationships and any promotion of homosexuality, subjecting individuals to severe penalties, including life imprisonment. Its implementation will have dire consequences, fostering a climate of homophobia, hatred, and hate crimes. The law instills fear not only among those directly targeted and their families but also among health workers providing essential Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in Uganda. IPPFAR is extremely concerned that this law blatantly violates numerous human rights, including the right to bodily autonomy. The right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, protection against arbitrary arrest, and access to health services are all undermined, compromising the full realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights. "The IPPF Africa region vehemently condemns the anti-homosexuality act 2023, which targets the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies in Uganda. This law marks a sorrowful day for Uganda and its people," stated Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. "Targeting a community based solely on their shared characteristics is extremely dangerous and an undeniable violation of human rights. Instead, we should strive to empower all members of our society to be positive contributors, rather than driving them into hiding and marginalization," Petrus-Barry added. Since March 2023, IPPF has witnessed a surge in physical attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety of civil society organizations, and an alarming increase in hate speech targeting LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies. The anti-homosexuality act 2023 is discriminatory and flagrantly violates the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Uganda constitution. By isolating itself from the international community, Uganda risks alienating potential collaborators and donors. Already, the U.S. Government has expressed intentions to suspend development funding to Uganda, including through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Global Fund and UNAIDs, potentially jeopardizing the progress in the fight against the HIV pandemic in Uganda. As the foremost provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, IPPFAR is immensely concerned that this law will deter individuals from seeking vital SRH services due to fear of being targeted. This will inevitably hinder access to life-saving services, including HIV/AIDS testing and treatment, provision of antiretroviral therapy, contraceptive services, and accurate SRH information. Moreover, the law obstructs healthcare professionals from fulfilling their duties and providing high-quality care in a safe and confidential environment. IPPFAR joins the chorus of condemnation against this harmful and regressive law. The safety, health, and dignity of all Ugandans must remain paramount. IPPF stands resolutely with the LGBTIQ+ community and their allies in Uganda and worldwide during this challenging time. END For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920   ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

UGANDA OK

Uganda: IPPF Africa Region Urges President Museveni to Veto Harmful New Anti-Rights Law Targeting LGBTIQ+ Community

Nairobi, Kenya: 10 May 2023 – On 2 May 2023, the Ugandan parliament once again passed a detrimental and dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ law. This follows the revision of the March 2023 law, which was sent back to parliament by President Museveni for amendments, but still remains alarming. The law criminalises same-sex relationships, and the promotion of homosexuality with prison terms of up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Read IPPFAR’s previous statement here. IPPF Africa region (IPPFAR) remains extremely concerned about the violation of several international human rights that would be ushered in by this law, including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, to protection against arbitrary arrest, and to access health services, thus compromising the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights. In March 2023, IPPFAR warned that the proposed anti-LGBTIQ+ law would send a dangerous message and encourage hatred. Unfortunately, since then, IPPF has noted an increase in physical attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety and security of civil society organisations, and an increase in hate speech towards LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies. As the leading provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, IPPFAR is deeply concerned that the passing of this law will deter people from accessing potentially life-saving SRH services for fear of being targeted, thereby  detrimentally affecting access to the range of sexual and reproductive health and services in Uganda, including testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, the provision of antiretroviral therapy to HIV positive persons, contraceptive service utilisation and access to accurate SRH information. The law hinders clinicians and healthcare professionals from fulfilling their roles and providing high quality patient care in a safe and confidential environment. “The IPPF Africa region condemns the new anti-rights law targeting the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and urges President Museveni to veto it promptly. This law will undo progress made in Uganda with regards to sexual and reproductive health and rights and will place many Ugandans in danger and at risk of several human rights violations”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. Once again, IPPFAR adds its voice to the widespread condemnation of this harmful and retrogressive law and urges President Museveni to veto it. The safety, heath, and dignity of all Ugandans must remain paramount. IPPF continues to stand with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this time. END   For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Uganda law
10 May 2023

Uganda: IPPF Africa Region Urges President Museveni to Veto Harmful New Anti-Rights Law Targeting LGBTIQ+ Community

Nairobi, Kenya: 10 May 2023 – On 2 May 2023, the Ugandan parliament once again passed a detrimental and dangerous anti-LGBTIQ+ law. This follows the revision of the March 2023 law, which was sent back to parliament by President Museveni for amendments, but still remains alarming. The law criminalises same-sex relationships, and the promotion of homosexuality with prison terms of up to a maximum of life imprisonment. Read IPPFAR’s previous statement here. IPPF Africa region (IPPFAR) remains extremely concerned about the violation of several international human rights that would be ushered in by this law, including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, the right to a fair trial, to protection against arbitrary arrest, and to access health services, thus compromising the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights. In March 2023, IPPFAR warned that the proposed anti-LGBTIQ+ law would send a dangerous message and encourage hatred. Unfortunately, since then, IPPF has noted an increase in physical attacks against the LGBTIQ+ community, threats to the safety and security of civil society organisations, and an increase in hate speech towards LGBTIQ+ individuals and their allies. As the leading provider of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services in Africa, IPPFAR is deeply concerned that the passing of this law will deter people from accessing potentially life-saving SRH services for fear of being targeted, thereby  detrimentally affecting access to the range of sexual and reproductive health and services in Uganda, including testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, the provision of antiretroviral therapy to HIV positive persons, contraceptive service utilisation and access to accurate SRH information. The law hinders clinicians and healthcare professionals from fulfilling their roles and providing high quality patient care in a safe and confidential environment. “The IPPF Africa region condemns the new anti-rights law targeting the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and urges President Museveni to veto it promptly. This law will undo progress made in Uganda with regards to sexual and reproductive health and rights and will place many Ugandans in danger and at risk of several human rights violations”, said Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry, IPPF Africa Regional Director. Once again, IPPFAR adds its voice to the widespread condemnation of this harmful and retrogressive law and urges President Museveni to veto it. The safety, heath, and dignity of all Ugandans must remain paramount. IPPF continues to stand with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this time. END   For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.  

Uganda ok

Uganda: IPPF Africa Region strongly urges the government not to enact the new harmful anti – LGBTIQ+ law

Nairobi, Kenya: 23 March 2023 – On 21st March 2023 the Ugandan parliament approved a law which, if enacted, would criminalise people for identifying as a member of the LGBTIQ+ community. The proposed law has been through two readings in parliament and is awaiting a third before it is put forward to the President for Assent. If passed, it will be a gross violation of and undermine the human rights and safety of people identifying as LGBTIQ+ in Uganda. IPPF Africa Region is strongly concerned about the numerous ways in which the passing of this law will violate international human rights including the right to life and dignity, freedom of expression and association, protection from discrimination, and will compromise the full and complete attainment of sexual and reproductive health and rights. Additionally, IPPF is extremely concerned about the dangerous message the law sends. In addition to criminalising consent, it encourages hatred, may escalate violence and gender-based violence targeting persons from LGBTIQ+ communities, popular justice, hinders the right to a fair trial, makes it easier to target minority groups, and harder for them to access justice and redress for hate crimes. At a time when countries around the world and in Africa are decriminalising same sex relationships, this law, if passed, will be a serious step backwards for Uganda. "IPPF works to ensure the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all people regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, and sex characteristics (SOGIESC) – including lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and intersex people – and ensure they have access to the full set of human rights enshrined in international human rights laws”, Said: IPPF’s Africa Regional Director, Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry. “IPPF is willing to work with the Ugandan Government and other stakeholders to ensure that all Ugandan people can access their sexual and reproductive rights without fear, discrimination, or restraint", added Petrus-Barry. IPPF strongly urges the President of Uganda to not sign off on this discriminatory law, uphold and safeguard the Universal Declaration and African Charter on Human Rights, and treat all Ugandans equally. IPPF stands with the LGBTIQ+ community in Uganda and globally at this difficult time. END For further information or to request an interview, please contact: -Mahmoud GARGA, Lead Specialist - Strategic Communication, Media Relations and Digital Campaigning, IPPF Africa Regional Office (IPPFARO) – email: [email protected] / Tel: +254 704 626 920 ABOUT IPPF AFRICA REGION (IPPFAR) The International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region (IPPFAR) is one of the leading sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service delivery organization in Africa, and a leading sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) advocacy voice in the region. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, the overarching goal of IPPFAR is to increase access to SRHR services to the most vulnerable youth, men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Supported by thousands of volunteers, IPPFAR tackles the continent’s growing SRHR challenges through a network of Member Associations (MAs) in 40 countries. We do this by developing our MAs into efficient entities with the capacity to deliver and sustain high quality, youth focused and gender sensitive services. We work with Governments, the African Union, Regional Economic Commissions, the Pan-African Parliament, United Nations bodies among others to expand political and financial commitments to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Africa. Learn more about us on our website. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.

Lango Leaders
07 March 2023

Empowering Men to Accelerate Gender Equality in Northern Uganda

In a bustling meeting room in Lira, Northern Uganda, a group of cultural leaders from the Lango kingdoms are engaged in a lively discussion. The topic at hand is sexual and reproductive health, the advancement of women and girls, and the health of their families. Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), the International Planned Parenthood Federation member association, has organised and is facilitating the sessions through their team and community health workers. The situation of Women and Girls in Northern Uganda In Northern Uganda, the Lango and Acholi kingdoms are the strongholds of the Lango and Acholi communities. The kingdoms have a rich cultural heritage observing ancient local traditions, practices, and social norms, however some of these norms are restrictive for women’s development and equality such as wife inheritance, child marriage, discouraged education of girls, dangerous traditional termination of pregnancy and harmful practices that halt female development is still the order of the day. Uganda has a high unmet need for family planning, with high teenage pregnancy rates, a Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 336[i] and the unmet need for family planning stands at 31.1[ii] and yet many view comprehensive sexuality education as the promotion of early sexual debut and the promotion of engagement with multiple partners. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded WISH2ACTION programme seeks to scale up integrated sexual and reproductive services to the most hard-to-reach populations including the youth under 20, people living in poverty, persons with disabilities and those in humanitarian crisis. The programme aims to empower women and girls to make their own choices on shaping their family from how many children to have, to when they would like to have them. As is the case in many cultures, harmful social norms and practices form the basis of gender inequality. The WISH2ACTION programme is implemented in Uganda by RHU and is working towards accelerating gender equality in sexual and reproductive health (SRH), by addressing the root cause. To achieve this goal, the programme has recognised the crucial role that men play in shaping the lives of women and girls in Northern Uganda. WISH2ACTION is working to form a pool of men peer cultural mobilisers to act as SRHR champions in these communities. They have engaged cultural leaders in educative dialogue sessions. An Innovative Approach To demystify myths and misconceptions around family planning, WISH2ACTION has collaborated with Intrahealth Uganda to introduce an innovative game called Together We Decide. This interactive tool provides men with sexual and reproductive information and advocates for gender equality by demonstrating how men should have health discussions with their partners and how to keep their families healthy. As the cultural leaders play the game, they are prompted to think about the realities of having children, the economics of child-rearing, and the importance of contraceptive use, birth spacing, subsequent pregnancies, and the health of their children. The game is played with a board, tokens, dice, and cards. The leaders are divided into households and instructed to build families and wealth as through their moves in the game. As the cultural leaders play the game, they are prompted through the cards to think of the realities of having children, the economics, the importance of contraceptive use, healthy birth spacing, subsequent pregnancies and the overall health of their children. At various stages of the game, the facilitators play video on the audio cards to reinforce the information shared and the importance of sexual and reproductive health. As the game ends, the leaders tally up the wealth per child, discuss what they have learned and ask questions. They are encouraged to share the information with their partners and bring them to clinics or outreaches to receive the information first-hand.  A multiple-pronged approach The results of the approach have been promising so far. To date, 24 clan leaders, including the ministers of health from these kingdoms, have been trained in conducting community-based dialogues. In addition, the programme has engaged and empowered women and girls in these communities through small group dialogues, market events, and listening sessions, utilising front-line workers who resonate with them such as community health volunteers, peer educators and satisfied clients. The community engagement is geared to creating awareness of SRHR, understanding their barriers, and linking them to service delivery points where they can access affordable services. As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the progress of women and girls everywhere, we acknowledge that there is much more work that needs to be done to achieve gender equality for all. Taking an inclusive and innovative approach brings all stakeholders to the table and empowers men and women alike to fight for gender equality. With the engagement of all stakeholders, we stand a better chance at empowering the women and girls of Northern Uganda. [i] STATcompiler 2016   [ii] https://www.familyplanning2020.org/uganda  

sexual-reproductive-health-Africa
29 November 2022

Ebola outbreak in Uganda: how sexual and reproductive health workers are at increased risk

[Field Diary] by Alice Janvrin, Humanitarian Technical Lead, International Planned Parenthood Federation Each day, Ugandans are watching as the Ebola cases mount at an alarming rate. Thus far, 139 cases have been confirmed, though it is feared that there are likely many more. Ebola is a deadly virus which spreads through direct physical contact with the body fluids of an infected person with symptoms oftentimes similar to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) concerns and complications, such as a sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, obstetric complications, miscarriages and most famously: bleeding. I was recently in Uganda, working alongside Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU), IPPF’s Member Association in the country that offers critical and life-saving Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services, including access to modern contraceptives, STI diagnosis and treatment, maternal healthcare, including treatment for complications, and abortion care to thousands of women and girls across Uganda. In the RHU-managed facilities, the presence of blood is very common with hundreds of women seeking care every day for pregnancy complications, miscarriages, abortions, and other bleeding caused by side effects of contraception, sexual abuse, or heavy menstruation. As this latest Ebola outbreak evolves, we are likely to see this phenomenon become more common and stigmatized. When patients are suspected of having Ebola, they are sent to testing centers, and if their test comes back as positive, they are sent to Ebola Treatment Centers, where, sadly, many go to die. As a result, the population as a whole fear any contact with suspect Ebola cases. Health workers are particularly at risk. When a patient presents with signs of bleeding to an SRH clinic such as RHUs’, it is for the triage staff and healthcare workers to distinguish whether the bleeding is because of a (reproductive) health issue or Ebola. This type of medical triage presents an impossible conundrum: watch powerlessly the suffering of a patient who may or may not have Ebola while waiting for their referral to the Ebola testing site, or intervene and at times risk their own lives, that of their colleagues, other patients, families. Each medical provider is forced to carry the weight of this decision. I worked alongside over 20 RHU healthcare workers and staff to reinforce Ebola mitigation measures in three of their clinics, Katego and Bwaise Clinic in Kampala and Mityana Clinic in Mityana - to protect themselves and their clients. This included the reintroduction of triage, refreshers on Infection and Prevention of Infection protocols including the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) (adapted for Ebola), and a briefing on risks facing frontline staff. Understanding and being able to manage the new risks that Ebola presents, I witnessed whole clinics bustling with energy as they reinstated their triage and dusted off their temperature guns. Following two years of working alongside COVID-19, RHU frontline workers have an advantage: they are no strangers to triage, PPE and epidemiology and have much of the equipment already positioned in the clinics. However, I witnessed the exhaustion at the prospect of having to face yet another epidemic. “But I am not scared, we know what to do and we survived Covid” said the nurse-in-charge of Mityana Clinic, located in the Central Region of the country. However, Ebola is no COVID-19. Unlike Covid-19, Ebola is not airborne, but rather transmitted through bodily fluids such as blood or saliva. Also, unlike COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the fatality rate is between 41% and 100% (for comparison, the fatality rate of COVID-19 is thought to be between 0.7% and 2%). The complacency that has set in as we all become accustomed to life with COVID-19 creates a false sense of security, especially in the face of this latest epidemic, Ebola. As such, Ugandan healthcare providers must recondition themselves to become acutely conscious of their exposure to bodily fluids. Equally, after the initial panic of watching COVID-19 cases rise and lockdown measures set-in, we all soon realized that most survived; conversely, as the Ebola case count increases, Ugandans are quickly realizing that they may not be so lucky. “It is of vital importance that we support and protect SRH healthcare workers and ensure Ebola does not have an indirect impact on maternal health mortality and we do not lose the gains that we have made”, shared with me Jackson Chekweko, the Executive Director of Reproductive Health Uganda. A message which was echoed by Marie-Evelyne Petrus-Barry the Regional Director of IPPF Africa Region: “ensuring our frontline workers are trained with the skills and equipment to address this new threat and are safe, is integral to ensuring the continuity of essential and lifesaving SRH services to thousands of women throughout Uganda.” At IPPF, we stand in solidarity with the Government and population of Uganda, and pledge our support to ensure the sustained availability of sexual and reproductive services. Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) is a Member Association of the International Planned Parenthood Federation For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube.  

sexual-reproductive-health-Africa
26 September 2022

Enhancing Women’s Contraceptive Choice and Access in Uganda through the Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH) Programme

By Samia Khatun, IPPF WISH Head of Region and Moses Wafula (Reproductive Health of Uganda -RHU) WISH SBCC (Social and Behavioural Change Communication) Advisor In celebration of World Contraception Day, we tell the story of a woman reached through the WISH programme in Uganda, and how this journey has impacted on her and her family. Since 2018 The Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH)[1] programme enhanced access to modern family planning methods for women, especially young people under 20 years of age, people with disabilities, people living in poverty and those living in humanitarian settings.  The programme aims to empower women and girls to make their own choices on shaping their family from how many children to have, to when they would like to have them. Since its inception the WISH2ACTION programme, led by IPPF, covering 15 countries across East and Southern Africa and Asia, provided 25 million years of contraceptive coverage to couples[2], reached over 2.9m new additional users of contraception, of which nearly 16% were under 20 years of age. The modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) or number of women accessing modern methods of family planning in Uganda for all women stood at 30.4% in 2020. The Government of Uganda has committed to increasing the ability of women who would like to use modern contraceptive to a rate of 39.6% by 2025, WISH is contributing to this effort. Rose’ Road to Determining Her Future Rose* is a 32-year-old woman living in Buyoga village in Ikumbya, a remote village in North-eastern Uganda. Rose is the second wife in a polygamous marriage. She has been married for 16 years and has seven children with her husband. Her eldest child is 14 years old, and the seventh child was just three weeks old at the time we met Rose. The spacing between each of her children is an average of 15 months. “I had not intended to marry so early, but when I was 16 years old, I travelled to another village for holiday where I met my husband. Months later I realised that I was pregnant and got married.” Having six children, she has struggled to provide for her family. Outreach Clinics Rose first learned about healthy birth spacing in 2019 during a WISH outreach in Ikumbya organised by RHU. A Village Health Team (VHT) informed her about the outreach services coming to Buyoga, she would be able to learn more about different contraceptives and to access free services. During this outreach Rose decided to take a three-year implant following comprehensive counselling on the various contraceptive methods available to her. In April 2021, Rose had decided to have her implant removed as she wished to have another baby. Her youngest child then was almost three years old. She got pregnant with her seventh child. Planning for the future The following year in June 2022, RHU re-visited Buyoga village to conduct an outreach clinic. When Rose learned of the visit, she was determined to receive a contraceptive method that would offer her protection for a long period. Provision of family planning after a woman gives birth in Uganda remains sparse, particularly in the first three weeks after birth (with less than 6% of women accessing post-partum contraception) representing a missed opportunity for a woman to protect herself from an unintended pregnancy in the period she is recovering and taking care of a new baby. Rose and her husband opted for the 5-year implant. She explained “I would like to have one more child in the future. After that I might get a permanent method, so that I can then focus on raising my children and give them the best I can.“ Henry Wasswa, the RHU Busoga Coordinator has noted the importance of the WISH intervention in this region particularly for young people, close to 50% of mothers who attend antenatal are below 20 years. “Community dialogues and outreach services provide an opportunity to close the gap for under privileged adolescent girls and young women to make informed choice and decisions. These women often lack access to quality SRHR (Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights) information and access services as facilities are often too far away and too costly to reach,” he says. In Uganda, WISH has been able to reach approximately 2.1 million family planning users, avert over 1.4 million unintended pregnancies and avert more than 2500 maternal deaths[3], representing a £75 million saving in direct healthcare costs. As we mark World Contraception Day it is important to note that many women and girls still do not have adequate access to contraception to prevent unintended pregnancies. While programmes such as WISH have provided vital services, in the long-term more action is needed by Governments to ensure that young girls and women living in poverty are able to access family planning services for free, family planning is offered to all women post-partum and family planning is budgeted for, such that their global commitments are made a reality to improve the lives of women and girls.    *Featured image: a clinician at Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) For more updates on our work, follow IPPF Africa Region on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and You Tube. [1] The WISH Programme is split into 2 Lots:  Lot 1 (covering 12 countries in West and Central Africa) and Lot 2 commonly referred to as WISH2ACTION (covering 15 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa + Asia). [2] The estimated protection provided by family planning (FP) methods during a one-year period. [3] This figure is inclusive of all WISH service delivery partners in Uganda not just RHU and is generated using the Impact2 model