Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in West Nile are urging policymakers to take a more proactive role in strengthening Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) policies to improve access to essential services for women and girls.
Speaking at the inaugural West Nile SRHR Symposium in Arua City, stakeholders stressed the urgent need to address health and climate challenges that disproportionately affect women and girls.
Annet Lekuru, Executive Director of Feminature Uganda, called for the inclusion of women and girls in policymaking, arguing that their participation is crucial to improving services.
"I urge you to champion policies that integrate SRHR and climate action to ensure that women and girls are at the centre of decision-making. Without their involvement, we will just be making noise. To climate experts, I call on you to continue providing evidence and insights needed to inform these policies," Lekuru said.
CSOs pointed out persistent barriers to accessing SRHR services, including the lack of menstrual hygiene facilities, teenage pregnancy, child marriage, and inadequate parental support. These challenges, they noted, contribute to poor health outcomes and increased school dropout rates among girls.
Judith Bako, the Assistant Resident City Commissioner for Arua Central Division, emphasised the need for local solutions to complement government efforts.
"If the girl child doesn't have access to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights information, what can we do as a region to ensure that they easily get things like sanitary pads?" Bako said.
Meanwhile, Ayivu East Division Member of Parliament Geoffrey Feta highlighted the role of parents in safeguarding children, urging them to take greater responsibility.
"In the 1990s, we had responsible parents and responsive children. Children respected their parents because they understood that nature has made it so—you can't see the world unless God blesses you through your parents. Nobody disobeyed their parents, and the parents themselves were aware of their noble responsibilities," Feta said.
CSOs insist that these issues can only be effectively addressed if policymakers take the lead in formulating and implementing SRHR policies that prioritise the needs of women and girls.
