Uganda Programme
Interact Worldwide in Uganda
Although Uganda has successfully reduced its HIV prevalence rate, HIV and AIDS are still a major development and humanitarian issue in Uganda, with 7% of the population living with the virus. Women and girls are disproportionately affected, and account for 10% more infections. Between the ages of 15 and 19, young women are four to six times more vulnerable than their male peers; these women are often poor, young and married.
Gender inequity in HIV and AIDS is a severe problem, and adequate measures to address this have not been taken. Women and girls living with HIV have very limited voices at the household, community and national levels. Stigma and discrimination persist, further limiting their access to care, support and treatment for themselves and their families. HIV and AIDS is also having a long-lasting impact on the social and economic well-being of families, where Ugandan women and girls have traditionally borne considerable economic and social responsibility. There are high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality for women in Uganda, the majority caused by abortion-related complications. Women are at a higher risk of infection as a result of social status, lack of information, and common domestic violence. Many women and other community members are not fully aware of the importance of sexual and reproductive health services to women’s health.
Interact Worldwide has worked in Uganda for the last 18 years. Our partners are engaged in service provision in SRH and in HIV and AIDS, as well as advocacy regarding the national responses to poor SRH and HIV and AIDS. We have established relationships with the Ministry of Health Reproductive Unit, the Uganda AIDS Commission and the Global Fund Taskforce.
Our current projects in Uganda are:
Upholding the rights of positive women: The Project Hope
Reaching Girls and Women with Quality Sexual and Reproductive Health and HIV and AIDS Services