Young content creators in Uganda have been trained to lead awareness and action on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) as part of efforts to strengthen youth agency.
The week-long training focused on equipping participants with skills to produce accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive digital content addressing issues such as HIV prevention, teenage pregnancies, unsafe abortions, gender-based violence, and child marriage.
The initiative aimed to harness the power of digital platforms to not only create awareness but also foster dialogue, advocacy, and positive behaviour change among adolescents and young people, who are among the largest consumers of online information.
The training was conducted under the O3 Programme — Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future — in collaboration with UNESCO and implemented by Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) alongside partner organisations promoting comprehensive sexuality education and youth-led advocacy.
It forms part of a broader effort empowering young people in Uganda and Kenya to use digital media, film, and storytelling to tackle pressing SRHR challenges.
A total of 48 participants received certificates of participation at the end of the training.
Speaking during the engagement, Ambassador Rosa Malango, Presidential Envoy on Tourism and Trade, commended the initiative for amplifying youth voices in national development conversations.
“Young people shape online conversations every day. When we equip them with the right digital skills, we strengthen their ability to transform communities by sharing accurate, engaging, and life-saving information,” she said.
Teddy Chimulwa, National Programme Officer for Education for Health and Well-being at UNESCO, said, “The experiences gained through this initiative will help us scale our (UNESCO) impact acrossAfrica and beyond. We encourage young people to give their best, because we believe they will drive positive change across the country.”
Shantal Katana, Lead Gen Z at Reach A Hand Uganda, urged participants to use digital communication responsibly and positively to effect meaningful transformation in SRHR.
Participants welcomed the training, highlighting how it bridges digital creativity and social impact while positioning young creators as credible messengers on sensitive yet critical issues affecting their generation.
The initiative aligns with national and regional priorities to curb rising HIV infections, early pregnancies, gender-based violence, and child marriage, contributing to informed decision-making and healthier outcomes for adolescents and young adults.
Reach A Hand Uganda is a youth-led non-profit organisation dedicated to empowering young people through advocacy, awareness campaigns, and community engagement on issues including SRHR, education, mental health, gender equality, and economic empowerment.