A project to improve sexual education, reproductive health and social wellbeing of adolescents, youth, and women has been launched in Maracha District. The 20 million euros project dubbed: 'Protecting Sexual and Reproductive and Health Rights (SRHR)' will be implemented in 6 West Nile districts: Maracha, Terego, Koboko, Yumbe, Pakwach and Nebbi for a duration of 4 years.

During the inception meeting, Mr. Olila Patrick, Maracha District Chief Administrative Officer, said the District being bordered by DR-Congo faces peculiar cases of domestic violence that the project will address.  Hon. Obitre Stephen, Maracha District Chairperson, said besides hampering the education sector, teenage pregnancy, has debilitated the health sector due to health related complications and social issues that come along.

Ms. Koliba Monica Kotevu, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Maracha, said the project will play a vital role in human capital development a key pillar to socio-economic transformation. Ms. Koliba said Congolese nationals come to the District to get health and education services which should be considered in project planning.

The project will be implemented in a consortium that comprises of International Rescue Committee (IRC), World Vision (WV), Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU), Humanity & Inclusion, and Open Capital Advisors (OCA).   

Hon. Dicky Alema, Secretary Social Services, committed the District to providing a conducive work environment to the implementing partners. 

Dr.  Kalungi Akim, Deputy Health Coordinator at International Rescue Committee, said they are open to learning to have the project outcomes realized together. Dr.  Kalungi said the project staff will not only be in health units and schools but will also be deployed in the community.

Mr. Cadribo Sunday, Maracha District Health Education said the project has to be client-centered for the provided services to be easily utilized.

Mr. Edema Stephen Budraa, Maracha District Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, said that communities can experience transformation in mindset by direct and continuous engagement. 

Ms. Draru Jessica, Assistant Maracha District Health Officer-Maternal Child Health, said health facility delivery in the District is at 67% with expectant mothers fearing to go to health units due to the lack of delivery commodities expected from them. Draru said traditional birth attendants through community awareness should be encouraged to send expectant mothers to health units.  Dr.  Kalungi said the project will aim to address the bottlenecks at health facility level that may be turning away expectant mothers from seeking services.

The project will support the distribution of SRHR commodities across the districts.

Rev. Adoroti Denis, Parish Priest Maracha, said men are always reluctant to participate in community interventions and engagements a challenge the church has recognized and is taking on head. Rev. Adoroti is hopeful the project will streamline male involvement. 

The project outcomes include: public health facilities and community service delivery points offer integrated, equitable and inclusive SRHR and SGBV services; primary and secondary schools and community settings have strengthened capacity to deliver sexuality education, prevent and respond to SGBV; women, adolescents and young people especially marginalized groups are economically empowered to overcome barriers to access and utilization of SRHR, SGBV and education services; among other outcomes.

According to the 2022 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey, teenage pregnancy in West Nile stands at 14.6%.