Health & Reproductive Rights Awareness

The Girls Support Center (GSC) is dedicated to ensuring that girls and young women have access to accurate health information and services to make informed decisions about their bodies and futures. Our Health & Reproductive Rights Awareness program focuses on education, access to healthcare, and advocacy for the rights of girls in Soroti District and beyond.

1. Sexual and Reproductive Health Education

• Conducting awareness sessions in schools and communities on reproductive health and rights.
• Providing information on puberty, menstruation, and bodily changes to help young girls understand their development.
• Teaching about safe sexual practices, the dangers of early pregnancies, and the importance of family planning.

2. Menstrual Health & Hygiene Management

• Educating girls on proper menstrual hygiene to prevent infections and ensure dignity.
• Distributing reusable and disposable sanitary pads to school-going girls.
• Training girls on how to make reusable pads for sustainability and economic empowerment.

3. Access to Healthcare & Family Planning Services

• Partnering with health centers to provide free or affordable reproductive health services.
• Encouraging voluntary counseling and testing for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• Promoting family planning methods for teenage mothers and young women to prevent unplanned pregnancies.

4. Prevention & Management of Teenage Pregnancies

• Conducting community dialogues with parents, teachers, and religious leaders to address the causes of teenage pregnancies.
• Providing psychosocial support and guidance to pregnant teenagers and young mothers.
• Advocating for school re-entry policies to support teenage mothers in continuing their education.

5. HIV/AIDS Awareness & Prevention

• Running sensitization campaigns on the prevention, treatment, and management of HIV/AIDS.
• Providing voluntary testing and counseling services for girls and young women.
• Educating communities on the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS and promoting supportive environments for those affected.

6. Advocacy for Girls’ Reproductive Rights

• Working with legal and health professionals to protect girls from harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages.
• Raising awareness about laws and policies that safeguard reproductive rights.
• Encouraging male involvement in reproductive health education to create a more supportive environment for girls.

Through these interventions, the Girls Support Center aims to reduce teenage pregnancies, improve menstrual hygiene management, and empower young women with the knowledge and resources to make informed health choices.