#ProContraceptives

In Uganda, youth advocates are calling for greater political support for young people to have access to a wide range of contraception.

In May 2022, we put cameras into the hands of young people to elevate youth voices to address the lack of access many young people in Uganda face when it comes to contraception. With high rates of teen pregnancy, young people were motivated to take action to ensure more of their peers in their communities could access affordable contraception they want and need.

Young participants at our Stories 4 Change: Digital Storytelling for SRHR workshop in Fort Portal, Uganda.

Together with our partner, Reproductive Health Uganda, we hosted our Stories 4 Change: Digital Storytelling for SRHR workshop in Fort Portal, Uganda. 20 young people enhanced their skills in participatory photography, advocacy and communication. With storytelling at the heart, young people improved their digital literacy skills and strategised advocacy plans to advance young people’s access to contraception.

Participants agreed - access to contraception was essential to prevent unintended pregnancies, and all young people should have knowledge and information about contraception. Participants devised a common advocacy strategy - to call for greater awareness among their peers about the benefits of contraception.

Participants set out to photograph images from their community and peers that supported their advocacy strategy. Participants photographed personal perspectives on the importance of youth-friendly discussions, health education materials and a range of contraceptive choices.

Through Their Lens:

Young People’s Photographs of Contraceptive Access

“Let’s end myths and misconceptions about contraceptives.” - George, Fort Portal, Uganda

“I believe contraceptives should be available over the counter to become accessible to everyone who needs them.” Lynn Tricia, Fort Portal, Uganda

“Young people should have safe spaces to openly talk about family planning.” – Claire, Fort Portal, Uganda

“Stigmatizing young people for using contraceptives is so ancient! We are better than that.” – Sharon Jean, Fort Portal, Uganda

“Your partner needs your support with contraceptives and family planning” - Graham, Fort Portal, Uganda

Our Stories 4 Change workshops are a creative springboard to support meaningful youth engagement in advocacy and policy change. A co-curated photography exhibition was held in Fort Portal with local decision-makers to call for greater political support for young people’s access to contraception.

Our Stories 4 Change small-grants facility continues to support participants after the workshop. Small-grants support grassroots advocacy efforts, as they leverage digital storytelling to create change in their communities. After the workshop, participants hosted a “Twitterstorm” - a sprint event to flood Twitter with health messages using the campaign hashtag #ProContraceptives. The digital campaign aimed to stand-up against the overwhelming anti-choice and anti-contraception information young people find online earning over 10,000 impressions.

The Stories 4 Change: Digital Storytelling for SRHR workshop was generously supported by the Waterloo Foundation as part of our project Knowledge and Information on Safe Sex (KISS). Our digital tech solutions help young people as changemakers to take local action for SRHR.