Youth Advocates Push for Youth-Friendly Corners and Sanitary Pad Waiver in National Budget Discussions 

On the eve of the new financial year 2023/2024, a gathering of  youth leaders, MPs, and representatives from civil society organizations converged at the Grand Global Hotel in Kampala. The purpose of this meeting, organized by the Uganda Parliamentary Forum on Youth Affairs in collaboration with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Uganda Cares, and esteemed partner organizations, was to delve into the recently passed National Budget 2023/2024 and advocate for a more youth-centered approach to budget allocation.

With a substantial projected amount of 52.74 trillion shillings ($13.9 billion), the participants saw the budget as a significant opportunity to address the needs and aspirations of young people in Uganda. Martha Mbabazi Atai, the Prevention Program and Advocacy Coordinator at AIDS Healthcare Foundation/Uganda Cares, emphasized the importance of leveraging this allocation to benefit the youth.

During the interactive discussion, the attendees analyzed the budget provisions and identified key areas that require additional focus and resources to ensure the well-being and empowerment of young people in the country. Two critical issues stood out: the provision of free sanitary pads for girls and the establishment of youth-friendly corners in healthcare facilities.

Trevor Emojel, a Youth Officer at AHF Uganda Cares, urged youth leaders and MPs to closely monitor the implementation of the sanitary pads' waiver. He emphasized the need for funds to be allocated through the education budget and community development programs to ensure the accessibility of free sanitary pads for vulnerable girls. Emojel also stressed the importance of adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in schools to support girls' menstrual hygiene management.

Phiona Nyamutoro, the National Female Youth Member of Parliament, advocated for the creation of youth-friendly corners within healthcare facilities. She highlighted the necessity of investing in training healthcare workers to deliver quality services tailored to the needs of young people.

Grace Namagembe, a budget and tax advocate from SEATINI Uganda, raised concerns about access to income-generating activities. She recommended popularizing the Parish Development Model (PDM) and advocating for decentralized funds dedicated to youth programs to ensure that economic empowerment opportunities are accessible to vulnerable youth.

Jacob Eyeru, the Chairperson of the National Youth Council, emphasized the importance of community mobilization and mindset change. He expressed concerns about the relatively limited budget allocation for initiatives in this area and called for increased funding to implement comprehensive programs that effectively address the needs of young people. Eyeru highlighted the significance of targeted interventions to encourage behavioral and attitudinal shifts within communities for holistic development.

The collective voices of these youth advocates serve as a rallying cry for the inclusion of youth-friendly corners in healthcare facilities and the implementation of the sanitary pad waiver in the National Budget 2023/2024. Their insights and recommendations seek to ensure that the budget truly addresses the needs of young people and paves the way for their empowerment and holistic development.

This article was originally published in the https://www.newvision.co.ug/