On September 26, 2024, World Contraceptive Day, Uganda joins the global community in raising awareness about the importance of family planning and expanding contraceptive options.
Themed “Expanding Choices, Empowering Decisions,” the day seeks to educate and promote informed choices among young people, especially in low-resource areas.
Despite ongoing efforts, Uganda faces significant challenges in contraceptive access. Limited availability, societal stigma, and misinformation continue to hinder progress.
According to the 2021 Uganda Demographic Health Survey, only 29.7% of sexually active unmarried girls aged 15-19 use contraception. This is a significant concern, with a teenage pregnancy rate of 22.3%, as reported by the Ministry of Health (MOH) in 2024.
The government, in collaboration with health partners, is working to bridge the gap by promoting sexual education and increasing the availability of contraceptive options.
The government has outlined various policies and strategies to advance its Family Planning 2030 commitments. These include investments aimed at ensuring that family planning methods and services are accessible to women and girls across the country. Key initiatives at the national level include:
Adoption of Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan II – A comprehensive plan designed to support the financing and provision of family planning services.
Revised National Reproductive Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Sharpened Plan II – This plan emphasizes improving reproductive health outcomes, particularly for mothers, children, and adolescents.
National Health Policy and Self-Care Guidelines – These policies are focused on promoting health and well-being by improving access to health services and empowering individuals to manage their own reproductive health.
Family Planning Total Market Approach – A strategy to ensure that family planning services reach all women and girls, providing them with the freedom to make informed choices regarding their reproductive health. This approach is instrumental in improving access and ensuring the availability of contraceptive products.
These efforts align with Uganda’s broader sustainable development goals, as the government seeks to reduce barriers to family planning, improve reproductive health outcomes, and promote gender equality.
However, much remains to be done to ensure that young girls, particularly in rural areas, can make informed choices regarding their reproductive health.
World Contraception Day 2024, celebrated on September 26, focuses on raising awareness about reproductive health and ensuring global access to contraception.
This year’s theme highlights the importance of informed choices in family planning, particularly in regions where access remains limited. Approximately 200 million women worldwide still lack access to modern contraceptive methods, significantly impacting maternal health and socio-economic progress.
Educational initiatives are at the forefront of this year’s campaign, aiming to break misconceptions surrounding contraception and promote open discussions about reproductive health. By advocating for better access to these services, World Contraception Day seeks to empower individuals, reduce unintended pregnancies, and improve public health outcomes globally
As Uganda observes World Contraceptive Day, there is a renewed call for comprehensive sexual education and expanded access to contraceptive services to reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancies and support the reproductive rights of the youth.
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