Remarks at Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and Gender Based Violence e-conference, Kampala

Hon. Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, Minister of Health

Hon. Joyce Moriko Kaduchu, the State Minister for Primary Health Care

Representative of the Ambassador of Sweden

Development Partners

Representatives from Civil Society

Youth Coalition for SDGs

Representatives from Academia

UNFPA Representative

UN Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen

Happy New Year!

Let me begin by conveying thanks and appreciation to the Representative and staff of UNFPA, the civil society partners, youth groups, all protocol observed.

It is my sincere pleasure to participate in this conference on the theme “Integrating Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV and Gender Based Violence Services for Universal Health Coverage.”

In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed a resolution on Global Health and Foreign Policy, urging countries to accelerate progress toward universal health coverage (UHC). This was premised on the commitment to ensure that everyone, everywhere should have access to quality, affordable health care, and that such care should be treated as an essential priority for international development. At the 2019 United Nations General Assembly, world leaders recommitted to achievement of UHC by 2030, re-emphasized the right to health for all and committed to achievement of universal access to sexual and reproductive health services and reproductive rights (SRHR) as enshrined in the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Uganda is moving towards achieving Universal Health Coverage, which is a cornerstone for the attainment of the SDG 3 to, “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all age.” The mid-term review of the Health Sector Development Plan 2015- 2020 showed advancement towards total coverage using key interventions including provision of health services and reducing reliance on out-of-pocket payments for care but even with these, a lot of work is needed to achieve the four dimensions; availability, geographic accessibility, affordability and acceptability recommended by WHO. 

COVID-19 has devasted communities and economies, yet it also provides an opportunity to address the urgent need for universal health coverage in Uganda. If achieved, there will be affordable, high-quality services leading to better health for everyone including children and women. Ugandans will be more educated and productive to the economy and families will be protected from poverty-causing health costs.

The UN system in Uganda’s contribution towards the Integration of Sexual Reproductive Health, HIV and Gender Based Violence services for Universal Health Coverage in Uganda include the following Joint Programmes:

1. Joint UN Programme of Support on HIV and AIDS (JUPSA) involving 10 UN agencies coordinated by UNAIDS complementing the Presidential Initiative to fast track the fight against HIV.
2. Joint Programme on Gender Based Violence, involving UNFPA, WHO, UN Women, FAO, and UNICEF
3. Joint Programme on Early and Child Marriages, involving UNICEF and UNFPA
4. Joint Programme on Female Genital Mutilation, involving UNICEF and UNFPA
5. Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation programme supported by UNICEF and WHO
6. Joint Programme on SRH/HIV/GBV integration involving UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF and WHO which has supported the organisation of this conference

These programmes inform the Global programme supported jointly by the United Nations and the European Union known as the Spotlight Initiative, which focuses on ending violence against women and girls. In Uganda, one of eight countries in Africa where Spotlight is being rolled out, we have UN agencies working with the Government of Uganda and 30 local and international NGOs. The five UN Agencies are; UN Women, UNFPA, UNICEF, UNDP and UNHCR. Up to 20 million people have benefited from this programme.

Some of the achievement attained under these programmes include;

1. The adoption of the Adolescent Health Policy and the Adolescent and Health Service Standards,
2. The improvement of women and girls’ safety and security in refugee settlements and host communities through constructions of latrine blocks,
3. The Ministry of Gender led development of a virtual curriculum for the social welfare workforce and protection actors in target districts,
4. The finalization of the condensed Police Standard Operation Procedures on effective investigation and management of GBV/VAC-related cases, and
5. The finalization of the multi-disciplinary Gender-Responsive, Survivor-focused and Coordinated Approaches to Effective Investigation, Prosecution, and Adjudication of GBV and VAC Cases curricula, followed by the commencement of Training of Trainers in the same.
6. Development and approval of national indicators to guide SRH/GBV/HIV integration.

Achieving Universal Health Coverage is a shared responsibility. And in this regard, I would like to congratulate Uganda for the launch of the Council of Traditional Leaders of Africa (COTLA) Uganda Chapter which happened in December 2020. This platform provides for joint engagement on human rights issues and traditional values tackling the nexus of sexual and reproductive health, HIV and Gender Based Violence and health

We are confident that working in partnership with the Inter-Religious Council and the private sector, we will be able to bring about sustainable change.

As I conclude, allow me to reiterate that today is about people and giving a voice to the youth, addressing inequality, transformational leadership, increasing awareness on policies, supporting inter-generational dialogues at community and household level on what these services and their values are. It is also about our shared responsibility to support and healthy nation.

Allow me to share with a few key messages from the members of the Youth Coalition for SDGs below;

1.  Encourage a clear understanding of services and integration at all levels,
2. We are ready to participate in joint planning and resource operations at all levels,
3.  We call for implementation of the Government AIDS Trust Fund
4. We call and support the passing of the School Health Policy

On behalf of the United Nations, I convey our readiness to support the Integration of Sexual and Reproductive Health, HIV and Gender Based Violence as  part of our contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and third National Development Programme (NDP III). I invite you to read our Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021 – 2025 on our website to get a better understanding of our work, commitments, shared prosperity, well-being, resilience and governance.

I end with a quote from Nelson Mandela;

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” I invite all of us to join hands so that we can make a difference not just for the youth but for the Ugandan society to attain sustainable develop.

Thank you for your attention.