Uganda: Youth truck

The German Foundation for World Population (DSW) is an internationally active development organisation with the aim of promoting the potential of the largest youth generation of all time in order to contribute to sustainable population development. It provides young people in East Africa with access to youth-appropriate health information and modern contraceptives, and also campaigns at a political level for the right to physical self-determination, especially for young women and girls.

The German Foundation for World Population (DSW) is an internationally active development organisation with the aim of promoting the potential of the largest generation of young people of all time in order to contribute to sustainable population development. It provides young people in East Africa with access to youth-appropriate health information and modern contraceptives, and also campaigns at a political level for the right to physical self-determination, especially for young women and girls.

Initial situation Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world; almost 50 per cent of its more than 47 million inhabitants are under the age of 15. At the same time, population growth is very high at three per cent per year. Although this population structure offers the country many opportunities for development, it also harbours risks, such as high youth unemployment and the associated lack of prospects for large sections of the young population. These young people are also exposed to particular risks: Access to information, products and services on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) is completely inadequate. This contributes to the widespread spread of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases. At the same time, this situation leads to a high number of teenage pregnancies and the associated complications, particularly in rural areas.

The “Youth Truck” provides effective help. It brings employees and trained youth counsellors to hard-to-reach rural areas and poor urban districts. The educational vehicle, which DSW uses together with “Action 4 Health Uganda”, is equipped with loudspeakers, a projector and a screen – so young people receive interactive and entertaining education on important topics such as contraception, HIV/AIDS prevention, menstrual hygiene and gender equality.

At the same time, the young people learn about their rights and how they can improve their socio-economic situation. The Youth Truck team also distributes contraceptives such as condoms and femidoms, explains how to use them correctly and offers other services in cooperation with local health centres if required. These include the administration of the 3-month injection, contraceptive implants, IUDs or the performance of tests for sexually transmitted diseases (HIV/STI tests) by trained specialist staff. The consequences and complications of unplanned pregnancies and births among young girls are also key topics in the Youth Truck team’s educational work. The Youth Truck team also aims to mobilise young people so that they can stand up for their sexual and reproductive rights and their health at a political level.