July 11, 2016, marks the 27th annual observance of World Population Day, a day designed by the UN to highlight global population issues. The goal is spread awareness of population-related issues such as family planning, gender equality, poverty, maternal health and human rights. This year’s theme is ‘Investing in Teenage Girls.’
How does #WPD2016 apply to Uganda?
The Pearl of Africa may triple its population by 2050. It has one of the world’s youngest and most rapidly growing populations, with 78% of the population being younger than 30 years of age and nearly half being younger than 15. Ugandan women have fertility rates of, on average, 6 children each throughout their reproductive periods. On average, 3 out of 10 women have unmet family planning needs -- and the prevalence of these needs are much greater in rural areas. [State of Uganda Population Report, 2014]. Girls and young women (15-24 years old) are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, at rates twice that of men in the same age bracket. Only two-fifths of young adults correctly identify the ways to prevent sexual transmission of HIV.
What can you do?
- Support UVP’s Healthy Villages efforts for Safe Motherhood & Family Planning, HIV/AIDS, and Obstetric Fistula.
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