Reducing teenage pregnancy in Bugiri District

UWONET’s (Uganda Women Network ) Executive Director and Legal Officer joined forces with model men from Kapyanga, Iwemba, Budhaya, Bulesa, and Nswhawa to evaluate the scale-up project on reducing teenage pregnancy in Bugiri District at Wama Development Foundation Africa Headquarters in Bugiri.

An average of 1,000 teenage pregnancies are reported per day in Uganda, according to Ministry of Health data.

These pregnancies can have serious health impacts. For example, complications during pregnancy and childbirth are the leading cause of death for 15–19-year-old girls globally, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Preventing unplanned teenage pregnancies and promoting safe sexual behavior requires collective action. This means listening to, counseling, and educating adolescents about their sexuality and making available family planning options.

Wama Young Adult Health Integration (WYAHI), implemented by WDFA, uses peer counseling, small-group discussion, facility-based health education sessions, adolescent community dialogues, and connecting adolescents with family planning options to achieve these goals. The Activity also is working with community and religious leaders to change social norms regarding teen pregnancy.