A Day in Busi Island

March 8^th marks the International Women’s Day, a day where people worldwide unite in recognition of Women emancipation and empowerment. In support of this day, DSW Uganda teamed up with Kasanje Health III and Kasanje Youth Club to provide free Sexual Reproductive Health information and services to the people of Busi Island, Wakiso District.

During the outreach, the Youth Champions, Health Workers, and the DSW, Uganda Youth Truck team discussed several SRH issues that include the importance of testing for STDs, and knowing ones HIV status, the health social economic benefits of Family Planning to the family and the country at large. In addition the team discussed myths and perceptions on contraceptives, teenage pregnancies and menstrual hygiene and management among others.

The team also offered  HIV testing and counseling,  they screened health video shows and distributed Family Planning commodities such as condoms to women, men and the youth  .Over 100 people were tested for  Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STDs) especially HIV while hundreds attended and received Family Planning counseling and reproductive health services.

The outreach meant to support most at risk persons (MAPs) and far to reach communities such as Busi was supported by DSW innovative Youth Truck designed for this very purpose. The work we do with support of the Youth Truck and its team is to empower young people and communities with information and knowledge about Sexual Reproductive health rights and services across Uganda

Busi Island which is made up of three parishes is documented high rates of teenage pregnancy rates, high HIV preference rates which is predominant among the young people. The area LCI appreciated the organizers the outreach in the community. “I am happy for this intervention and I believe it will make a difference in many of lives”. He remarked

According to the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey 2011, the unmet need for family planning among married stood at 34%, and unmet need for child spacing at 21%, whereas un met need for limiting at 14%

Kasanje Health centre II Health workers, and DSW Youth Truck Team offer SRH  and FP information and services during the Busi outreach

FPBAG meets to review the progress and discuss/ formulate strategies to advocate for FP financing in Uganda

Securing Health through Advocacy and People’s Empowerment is a three-year program to mobilize more and better funds from key European donors (Germany, EU) as well as from East African governments (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda). Over the next three years, DSW will build on its proven successes in advocacy and capacity building through previous grant phases in Germany, at the EU level as well as in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Tuesday Feb, 28^th 2017

Family Planning Budget Advocacy Group (FPBAG) had their first meeting to review their progress and to reposition themselves with new strategies to closing the gap of FP inadequate funding by government. The Group was established in August 2016 under the coordination of DSW.

The Director General, National Population Council Jotham Musiguzi who presided over the review and planning meeting at National Population Council said that the global FP2020 goal is to mobilize global policy, financing, commodity and service delivery commitments to support the rights of women and girls in the world’s poorest countries to use contraceptive information, services and supplies without coercion and discrimination by 2020.

He requested the participants to constructively engage the relevant authorities towards FP domestic financing in Uganda. Noting that it is high time that government and the public appreciated the importance FP in the country’s Roadmap towards harnessing Demographic Dividends.

The meeting was attended by representatives from DSW Uganda, plan International Reach Hand Uganda, National Population Council, the media fraternity, HEPS, PPDARO, Straight Talk Foundation, among others , and they  made the following resolutions.

1. Collectively conduct budget analysis capacity building for the relevant factors including legislators such as members of parliament, district counselors, and the technical government people
2. Support SRH/FP policy reviews and wide dissemination across the country
3. Support MoH to develop GFF work planning and other continuous engagements
4. Hold meetings under the coordination of the OPM on the multi- sectoral approach on FP-NPC, MoH
5. Produce the FP BAG newsletter-quarterly
6. Develop and share a comprehensive work plan to which members will allocate their strengths as well as financial support. 

By David Turyamusiima

50 Family Planning Champions trained to advocate for increased support and domestic resources for Family Planning in Uganda

DSW is an international development and advocacy organisation. Our focus is on achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).DSW Uganda was established in 1999 and currently operates in 8 districts including; Kampala, Wakiso, Masindi, Mukono, Mityana, Jinja, Kamuli, Kiryadongo Busia and Tororo. In these districts, DSW works in partnership with the local Government administration and implements different project

Friday 24^th Feb 2016

In repositioning of Family Planning Champions to better advocate for increased support and resources for Family Planning in Uganda, over 50 Champions were reconvened for refresher training in family planning advocacy at Bonita Training centre Lubowa.

The 2 day training included understanding Family Planning Concepts, the budget –making process, documentation and report writing and accountability in addition to experience sharing by the champions since the last training.

The Family Planning (FP) Champions are expected to go a long way in ensuring that local governments prioritize Family Planning, and help avert the myths and perceptions about it and with the budget process starting to pick momentum, DSW thought it important to empower the champions to better advocate for FP budget allocation in the district local governments of Kamuli, Mityana, Tororo and Mukono were the SHAPE project is being implemented.

According to Mona Herbert, the country Director DSW Uganda use of FP Champions is a key and effective concept towards local budget advocacy and to the aversion of the negative perceptions and myths about FP. We underscore the importance of such trainings to empowering you in building good will and broad base support across constituencies including community, religious and political leadership structures on FP. He remarked

Mona Herbert, the Country Director, DSW addresses the FP Champions during training at Bonita Training centre recently

Mona told the Champions that the approach to FP advocacy should not only be about the commodities but rather the social and economic benefits of producing the manageable number of children such as the capacity to send their children in good schools, the prevention of maternal and newborn morbidity, and transmission of HIV, control of GBV that that have of rate been rampant in the country.

Examples of how champions can strengthen family planning programs include:

1.    Policy Advocacy: At national and county levels, champions play a key role in advocating for relevant policies that set the agenda for family programs and the needed support infrastructure and resources for the operationalisation of those policies.

2.    Mobilizing community support: Community level champions are trend setters and initiators of change. When they speak positively to communities on the importance of family planning for quality life through, they help in dispelling myths and misperceptions about family planning services Are role models: When they share their positive experiences as users of FP, they instill confidence in potential clients and help nudge those undecided into becoming acceptors of FP

The champions drawn from the districts of Kamuli, Mityana, Tororo and Mukono were the shape project is apparently being implemented in Uganda.

By David Turyamusiima

DSW conducts Health financing press conference

Coordinated by DSW, members of the Family Planning Advocacy Group (FPAG), Civil Society Budget Advocacy Group (CSBAG), Maternal Child and Adolescent Health Coalition held a press conference at Hotel African Kampala, Uganda on the health sector projected financing for the coming year.

 “A Well financed and vibrate health system; an absolute governments responsibility”. Was the theme for the conference organized to provoke the media fraternity to amplify advocacy towards the health sector budget that has been projected to decline

While presenting the paper, CSOs expressed their views and reservations regarding the FY 2017/18 Budget that is projected to decline by 30% compared to that of last year

In a joint statement they noted that as the government nears the 2020 target to transform into middle income country, the country must make huge investment in keeping the population healthy and productive, which according to the budget government is less concerned

Panelist during the media Briefing

They also noted with concern the continued poor human resources for the health sector that have hindered provisions of quality health services to the citizens.

They therefore urged the media practioners to amplify their advocacy towards what they termed as “unthinkable” for the government to reduce the health sector budget by such a huge percentage.

“We call upon you to join us and raise our voices such that tax payer’s money is put to best use”. Remarked Diana Tibesigwa.

Diana Tibesigwa, DSW stresses a point

 CSOs  urged the media to raise their in ensure that  government develops a plan that is responsive to the needs of the respective districts, for attracting recruiting, motivating and retaing health workers .

Urging that the ministry of health should prioritize the 50bn required for the recruitment of health workers.

They also called upon government to align the National Budget to the National Development Plan 11 and resource projections. “As a country we should desist from being known to have good laws and policies but very poor implementation” Emphasized the Dombo the chief of Part Path Uganda.

They further called for the decentralization of PHC funds for better services to ordinary citizens. “We have caution ministry of health against implementing PHC development budget on behalf of local governments as has been the norm because it creates more hitches in service delivery”. Noted Diana Tibesigwa.  

The reiterated their commitment to provide alternative budget proposals to government and to parliament, in particular

Over 40 National and local media houses were represented and covered the conference. These included the print, social and broadcast media and other representatives of likeminded organisations witnessed the function.

The conference took place at Hotel African, Kampala Uganda, mobilized and coordinated by DSW.

DSW facilitates Parliamentarians to develop a 5-Year Strategic Plan on Reproductive Maternal Neonatal child and Adolescent health (RMNCAH)

Parliamentarian that subscribe to the Network of African Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NAWMP) met at Imperial Royale Kampala to indentify and strategize on issues of Reproductive health, they will champion during the tenure of the 10th Parliament.

The plan is aimed at enhancing their technical, advocacy and resource mobilization skills, consolidate existing partnerships and network as well as bring on board partnerships for RMNCAH.

The legislator’s earmarked five Strategic Goals for the incoming Strategic Plan 2017/18.

The major output of the Retreat was a draft strategic Plan on Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) for NAWMP Uganda Chapter.

Supported by DSW, the Retreat attracted 60 legislators, 10 technical staffs from both government and CSOs that are active members of the Family Planning Advocacy Group, National Population Council (NPC) among others.

With the Goal of RMNCAH positioned as a key Development issue, the decision makers pledged to advocate for universal access to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services at the floor of parliament and other levels.

In addition, the legislators pledged to advance and promote family planning as a key development concern in Uganda.

The Country Director appreciated the role played by parliamentarians in promoting reproductive health in Uganda

“As DSW we underscore the role you play in advocating and mobilizing resources for reproductive health program in this country” Said Mona.

 Adding  that this is what prompted DSW to come in and support this process of developing the strategic plan, as it will give the law makers  an opportunity to align on the national, regional and international dynamics and societal challenges on reproductive Health,

Mona Herbert, the Country Director DSW opened the Retreat, with an overview of DSW and the overall strategic direction of the organisation on reproductive health and interventions in empowering women and young people to live their full potential.

Hon. Espellaza Baguma, the Chairperson NAWMP said that the network is committed to work with likeminded organisation in promoting RNMCAH. She emphasized that this time round the network plans to keep alive connection with the people, they are advocating for.

Earmarked Strategic Goals ·         Enhancing Development of NAWMP- Uganda Chapter as a reproductive Health Forum, ·         Mechanisms for providing RMNCAH services fully implemented in Uganda, ·         Women empowered and community mobilization for maternal health and related services ·          increased financing for RMNCAH services in Uganda

“In the 10hth Parliament we are already to keep the RNMCAH candle burning” She remarked.

In addition the Chairperson, the parliamentary committee on health, pledged maximum support in ensuring that RMNCAH issues     a captured in the committee budget recommendations. He urged legislators to navigate together in this coming budget process to ensure health issues are given priority in the Budget Frame 2017/18.

The Retreat however noted that, for family to steadily gain consideration in Uganda, capacity building for top government officials, opinion leaders as well as religious leaders is very paramount.

Religious leaders committed to promote family planning and sexual reproductive health through faith based approaches.

Religious leaders under Faith to Action Network, a global network of faith based organisations have committed to improve and promote family health through advancing family planning and reproductive health services using faith based approaches. This took place during a community dialogue held in Mityana district at the Diocese. 

Bishop Samuel Stephen Kazimba of Mityana Diocese said that once religious leaders are provided with technical support and right information, they can be great advocates for family planning in alongside with their faith.

“We are supporting families to have increased access to information and quality of services on family planning and reproductive health consistent with their faith, values, beliefs and principles,” he added.

Jackie Katana, International Advocacy Officer, in-charge of Faith to Action Network at DSW Uganda said that the network promotes dialogue, builds the technical and financial capacity of faith based organisations and religious institutions.

“It also facilitates sustained advocacy and programming in support of family planning and reproductive health,” she added.

Katana noted that religious use religious gathering to give right information about family planning to community members.

“We have engaged religious leaders in advocating for integration and mainstreaming of family health and wellbeing in policies,” she added.

Faith to Action Network has provided technical support to six faith based organisations in Uganda and linked them ot Population Action International to access funding for family planning advocacy in Kotido, Moroto, Wakiso, Rakai, Mityana, Kyenjojo, Kabalore and Busia.

Uganda Family Planning Advocacy Group Launched

By Esther Namirimu

DSW Uganda in partnership with the National Population Secretariat and Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO) organised a meeting to launch the Family Planning Advocacy Group. The breakfast meeting which was attended by Members of Parliament, District Health Officers, District Health Educators, Representatives from Civil Society Organisations, Journalist and other stakeholders took place at Imperial Royale hotel in Kampala on 17th August 2016.

 

The Family Planning Group was created to advocate for improved health policies; advocate for more budgetary allocation at national and local levels, more efficient use of those resources and improved transparency and accountability. The group will in addition contribute to influencing decision making processes; exposing leakages and bottlenecks and reduce wastage in Family Planning Health expenditure.

Uganda Family Planning Advocacy Group Launched by Dr. Jotham Musinguzi Executive Director of PPD ARO. Photo by Esther Namirimu

Dr. Jotham Musinguzi, Executive Director of Partners in Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPD ARO). Photo By Esther Namirimu

Dr. Dinah Nakiganda, Acting Assistant Commissioner Reproductive Health-Ministry of Health. Photo by Esther Namirimu

Members of Parliament who attended the launch of the Family Planning Advocacy Group. Photo by Esther Namirimu

Dr. Moses Muwonge, Executive Director of SAMASHA. Photo by Esther Namirimu

Ms. Diana Tibesigwa, Advocacy Officer DSW Uganda. Photo by Esther Namirimu

Representatives from Civil Societies. Photo by Esther Namirimu