Involvement of Boys through Interactive BCC/IEC to enhance Adolescent and Sexual Reproductive Health in Northern Uganda Anne Gamurorwa Executive Director CDFU Uganda

Project Area Lira and Alebtong Districts MAP OF UGANDA

Adolescent situation in Northern Uganda In Uganda, 47.3% of the population are adolescents High rates of teenage pregnancy 87% had engaged in sexual activity Contraceptive use was 27% Ambiguous social roles leading to confused identity Key gaps in knowledge and skills Limited parental input Impulsive and risk taking Poor access to accurate, comprehensive ASRH information/services Baseline Survey 2011 Uganda AIDS Indicator Survey

ASRHR Project in Lira & Alebtong districts CDFU Main Implementer, in partnership with Plan International Uganda & Plan International UK. Project intervention: A community based peer-led intervention Project Goal: To increase access to sexual and reproductive health information and services among 27,000 adolescents aged 13-19 years both Boys and Girls

Project objectives Increase knowledge and life skills among adolescents girls and boys to enable them them make informed decisions regarding their Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Increase awareness among adolescents boys and girls on the risky adolescent practices. Caretakers empowered with knowledge and skills to effectively communicate with adolescents on sexual reproduction (SRHR)

Multi Media & Multi Channel Approach 1.Centerpiece : Peer- peer approach, with boy and girl pair for every parish of the 7 sub counties. 94 Peer educators conducted individual and small group d with their peers 2. Dialogue sessions with secondary influencers. Health providers, parents, religious leaders 3. Radio talk shows hosted by adolescents, health workers, leaders 4. School Competitions – Drama, Art, Debate 4. Information, Counseling and Referral services through the Toll-free Hotline (0800 200 600)

with in-depth information Flyers for take home with in-depth information

Support Materials For Dialogue meetings The Jarawee Apron: to equip them with facts about Growing up, Body Changes Including menstrual cycle.

Interactive Games: The Hop-Skip- And Jump Trigger of action: Participatory, Entertaining Provided Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and gender based violence (GBV) information Allowed group discussions and helps adolescent boys and girls make informed decisions. The tool triggered self reflection , action and fosters possible solutions on GBV issues in their homes, schools and community Interactive Games: The Hop-Skip- And Jump Trigger of action:

INTERACTIVE GAMES: THE SEXUAL NETWORKS GAME Highly participatory tool Facilitates understanding of the concept of sexual networks, its consequences and how to take action. Supports young people to visualise multiple sexual relationships, the underlying factors involved and its effects. It triggers individual introspection of their behavior, assessment of risk and intention to protect themselves. INTERACTIVE GAMES: THE SEXUAL NETWORKS GAME

Access to the Toll- Free Hotline (0800 2000 600) for information, counseling & referral Family planning Child Rights Gender Based Violence Teenage pregnancy Maternal health Alcohol Sexuality, menstrual Hygiene Sexual Transmitted Diseases HIV and AIDS

ART Competitions in Schools

Access to Youth Friendly health Services

Small Group Dialogues led by 94 peers educators, supervised by Champion Peer Educators “I used to think that my sister had injured herself, she would be uneasy and hiding. Now I know it is menstruation and it is normal. I will now help my other sisters”. I don’t know why we boys were not told about menstruation. We used to laugh at girls when they ‘spotted’ their dresses. It is our right to know as we soon will have wives.”

Other questions from Adolescents Why do some girls have their periods as early as 9 years while others at 17 years? Can eating sweet things increase ones menstrual flow? Where does menstrual blood come from? Is it true that if you see the menstrual blood it will have effects on your eyes?

Results Exposure to messages on ASRHR Issues was 91.5% had heard about ASRHR during previous 12 months Access of ASRHR information from peer educators increased to 74% from 0 at baseline Body changes in girls (76.8% M, 70.2% F) Body Changes in boys (53.6% M, 64.9% F) Menstruation (70.2% M, 52.2% F)

Young People calling the hotline Hotline calls by Issue 2013 Young People calling the hotline

Self-Reported actions taken as a result of Project Activities

Conclusions and Lessons learnt Youth take quicker actions as a result of the peer- led sessions. Involvement of Boys enhanced dissemination, action on ASRHR information for Both Boys and girls and minimized missed opportunities that could have arisen from organizing separate meetings for boys and girls. The innovation strengthened understanding and appreciation of each others’ challenges thus building a supportive culture

End ….Thank you