1000 youth to attend sexuality dialogue

By Felix Oketcho

Reproductive Health Uganda has organized youth dialogue on sexuality dialogue as Uganda joins the rest of the world to mark sexuality day.

The event slated for 22^nd September at Makerere University will be held under the theme Sexuality Education, Health and Development”.

According to Reproductive Health Uganda youth coordinator Alex Craig Kiwanuka says the dialogue aims to constitute a reminder on the fundamental importance that Sexual Health being critical in one’s life to achieve full potential needs a holistic approach with rights and responsibilities.

“In commemoration of the World Sexual Health Day, 2018 celebrations, following the immense success of the previous Sexuality  dialogues in 2014 and 2015 and launch of the National Framework on Sexuality  Education by Ministry of Education and Sports launched on 21^st May 2018, Reproductive Health Uganda through its continued partnership with College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHUSS), Makerere University  and partners will organize  an  Inter University Dialogue on Sexuality, under the theme; “Sexuality Education,Health and Development. We are ” targeting about 1,000 participants  to discuss  sexual health, sharing  experiences, and learning from professionals who work in the fields related to sexual health and students who want to learn more about the topic, ”Kiwanuka said.

Uganda is a signatory to the Global SDGs, Ministerial Commitment on Sexuality Education, Sexual Reproductive Health Services for Adolescents and Young People in Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA commitments). Under the SDG 3, 4 and 5, Maputo Plan of Action 2016 plus commitments, State Parties are required to provide Sexual Reproductive Health Right knowledge and services to all people especially youth.

We have seen these domesticated through the Uganda Vision 2040, Gender in Education Policy and Strategic Plan 2017, National Strategy for Girls’ Education in Uganda (2014-2019), and the National Sexuality Education Framework 2018-2022 and Draft School Health Policy

Kiwanuka however says Reproductive Health Uganda (RHU) will continueto organize several platform for enhancement of socio-economic participation and empowerment of young people in higher learning institutions.

This according to him willcreate a sustainable dialogue on the role of Sexuality Education in the long term development agenda of Uganda

Kiwanuka says about 1,000 participants will discuss and lead events on a variety of key dialogue themes, challenges guided by a shared vision, principles, aspirations and values, with diverse reflections based on the current National Framework on Sexuality Education passed by Ministry of Education.

Participating Universities include Makerere university, Gulu University , Islamic University In Uganda ,Kyambogo University, St Augustine university, Uganda Christian University,Busitema university, Makerere University Business School, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Kampala International  University, Kampala University, Ndejje University, Bugema University, YCMA University, African Renewal University, St Lawrence University, ,International University of East Africa, Clarke University, Nsamizi Institute for Social Development ,Uganda  Martyrs University plus other interested international universities.