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

2. Project Area Lira and Alebtong Districts
MAP OF UGANDA

3. 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

4. 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 years both Boys and Girls

5. 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)

6. 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 ( )

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

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

9. 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:

10. 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

11. 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

12. ART Competitions in Schools

13. Access to Youth Friendly health Services

14. 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.”

15. 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?

16. 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)

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

19. Self-Reported actions taken as a result of Project Activities

20. 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

21. End ….Thank you