By Olivia Nabaggala
Government through the ministry of gender, labour and social development has distanced and disassociated it’s self from the ongoing media reports indicating that government is mooting a plan to introduce contraceptives to girls at the age of 15 years.
On Tuesday the deputy speaker of parliament Thomas Tayebwa and several legislators’ cautioned government against this plan saying it’s unGodly.
Media reports indicated that health ministry officials are drafting a policy to allow girls at 15years to take contraceptives.
Addressing the press at the Uganda media center, the minister of state for gender Sarah Mateeke Nyirabashitsi said that as the ministry they have never harbored a plan to draft such a policy.
Today the country joined the rest of the world to commemorate the international day of the girl child under the theme: invest in girl’s rights, for our leadership and wellbeing. The day is used to reflect upon the unwavering commitment to the protection and wellbeing of the girl child.
Minister Mateeke highlighted some of the achievements made in improving the lives of the girl child that include right to survival and health. She gave an example of how neonatal mortality has been reduced from 27 to 22 per 1000 live births, pregnancy mortality rate slowing down from 368 to 228 per 100,000lives, in education literacy levels have increased from 73.2% in 2010 to 76.5% in 2020 with the girl’s enrollment in primary education surpassing that of the boys.
Mateeke said that despite the achievements they are still challenged with high levels of violence and crimes against girls coupled with the ongoing HIV pandemic , harmful social norms that continue to hinder girls’ opportunities, restricting their access to quality education, economic independence among others.
She committed that her ministry will continue empowering the girl child and provide opportunities for skill’s development.
Minister Mateeke also appealed to the public to renew their commitment of investing in the rights, leadership and wellbeing of the girl child.
