On November 5th, 2021, young people from the Kampala suburbs of Kamwokya, Kisaasi, Bukoto, Ntinda, among others, underwent training on safe sex and abstinence at the Uganda Youth and Adolescents Health Forum Youth Hub in Kampala.
Among the key issues discussed during the training that brought together 36 young people, including 8 males and 28 females, were causes of early sex, challenges associated with early sex, practicing safe sex and its importance, and abstinence.
During the discussion, the young people identified a number of factors that contribute to early sex, including peer pressure, a desire for material possessions, adventure, idleness, and poverty, among others.
Jeremiah, a young person from Bukoto, explained that many young people engage in sex not because they want to, but because their friends encourage them by narrating the experience to them.
“When you claim you don’t know anything about sex or aren’t interested in it, your friends dismiss you. Others may even try to entice you by telling you how interesting sex is so that you become curious to experience it against your will, “Jeremiah added.
Another young person, Briana, says that poverty in families has led to many of her friends engaging in early sex. She explained that girls have a lot of personal needs, such as sanitary towels, knickers, and cosmetics, which their impoverished parents are unable to meet. She adds that this makes them make friends with people they think can help them, only to demand payment for sex later.
Briana, a young person from Bukoto gives her contribution during the discussion
Christine Osundwa, a UYAHF change champion and one of the discussion facilitators, informed the young people about the health risks associated with early sexual activity. Unplanned pregnancies, stress and depression, psychological torture due to stress, death due to unsafe abortions, STDs and STI infections, HIV/AIDS infections, and school dropouts are among the challenges and consequences of early sex, according to her.
Mr. Thomas, another facilitator, also encouraged them to prioritize abstinence until they finish school and are ready for a relationship that will lead to marriage, despite the fact that the majority of them are sexually active.
“I realize that most of you here are sexually active based on what you’ve told us, but I would strongly advise you to abstain if at all possible.” Because that is the only way you will avoid the numerous problems associated with early sex, as Christine mentioned earlier. ” He added
He went on to say that abstinence will help them avoid STDs, STIs, and other related infections, as well as unintended and unwanted pregnancies, and, most importantly, it will allow them to finish their studies and pursue their dreams.
The young people were encouraged to use condoms during the training, and they were also taught and shown how to use them properly to avoid the challenges mentioned.
At the conclusion of the training, the majority of the young people agreed to abstain from sex until they finish high school, with a few pledging to use condoms if they are unable to avoid it.