SUCCESS STORY: MITSE NIGHT

By Bonita Masika-GEDA Uganda.

Mitse Night is among the teenage mothers that underwent the crotchet shoe making training exercise that was implemented by GEDA Uganda under its skilling project. Before she underwent this training, she had neither acquired any skill nor had any job or source of income. When GEDA Uganda intervened by extending the Crochet shoe making training to the teenage mothers under the MSF program, Mitse Night had the opportunity to take up this training. When she was still a trainee, she showed a lot of interest and took her training seriously.

Mitse Night (3rd right, wrapped with stripped cloth) receiving her start up kit.

After the training was completed and even before being given the startup kit package, Night took the initiative of utilizing the skill and the small resources she had acquired during the training to make close to two pairs of shoes which she was able to sell at 10,000 Uganda shillings (About $3) each thus being able to make a profit of 20,000 since the training materials had been offered by GEDA Uganda at no cost. “I was lucky for having been part of this training and am grateful that i already made some money however little it is. Am very hopeful that this is going to change my life, thanks very much to GEDA Uganda” With these humble savings and the additional startup kit that was provided to her, Mitse believes that she will be able to meet the basic needs for herself and her family and also boost her small shoe making start up business.

Night has a number of challenges but they don’t keep her from moving forward. Her main challenge is lack of enough capital to rent a room and also buy more materials, she has also faced a challenge of low customer turn up and low unfavorable prices from the customers. But all the same she still believes there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Mitse Night appreciating GEDA team.

Teenage mothers receive their start up kits.

Teen mothers pose for a photo after receiving their kits.

After their skilling program, teenage mothers have finally received their start up kits to start on a new life with the skills attained. Gender-Environment and Development Action has been equipping these teenage mothers with different skills.

The first batch of teenage mothers that were trained in crotchet shoe making received their kits at their different training stations. The MSF group received their kits at the MSF training center while Nyamwamba Division teenage mothers received their kits at the Division Headquarters.

Teenage mother receiving her kit from GEDA Uganda Officer

Speaking at the function the Division Community Development Officer appreciated the efforts of Gender-Environment and Development Action in equipping the teenage mothers and giving them hope. He promised maximum support to the teenage mothers and GEDA Uganda for the services they are rendering. The MSF representative encouraged the teenage mothers to use the start up kits well and continue behaving well not to have a repeat of what has already happened to them but think of their future to be a bright one. He thanked GEDA Uganda for the partnership in skilling this team they have been offering reproductive health services. He said this was good combination of services to the teenage mothers.

Display of some kits

Speaking at the same function the GEDA Uganda representative Baluku Omar also advised the teenage mothers to use the start up kits to enrich the standard of living and promised continued follow ups and mentorships. He said the start up kits may not be enough but worth starting a new life.

Meanwhile the tailoring group of teenage mothers is still going on with their training that lasts utmost 3 months, they will also be awarded start up kits as and when they complete their training and so it is to the knitting group.

First batch of teenage mothers complete skilling

In Uganda like elsewhere around the world, Covid-19 has led to an increase in teenage pregnancy. In order to gain basic necessities like sanitary towels, girls have engaged in negative coping mechanisms like transactional sex with men who took advantage of their need for money. Teenage pregnancies, among other factors is increasing the number of girls not in school.

GEDA Uganda mid this year embarked on finding and profiling teenage mothers in Kasese District. Like else where in the country, Kasese is one of the Districts with high teenage pregnancies hence teenage mothers that have thereafter been abandoned by the fathers to their children.

Asked what they would do to bring back hope, the teenage mothers GEDA Uganda had access to asked for skilling that would be a one off skill for them to earn a living. Tailoring, knitting and craft shoe making were identified as skills to be given to the teenage mothers.

For the last two weeks 47 teenage mothers that choose craft shoe making have been undergoing vigorous training by GEDA Uganda trainers. The happy and hopeful teenage mothers completed their skilling last week August 23rd 2021 with a ray of hope. Each trainee was able to complete atleast one pair of shoe. The skilling sessions were accompanied by inspirational talks by GEDA staff.

The teenage mothers have also been promised to be given start up kits for them to start a new life and GEDA Uganda will deliver them as soon as they’re ready.

Meanwhile another group of teenage mothers training in tailoring that started earlier is still under going training since that takes some time. The progress is promising and they will soon complete. GEDA Uganda donated a sewing machine to this group that will help them continue with trainings and earning a living even when the trainings are long ended.

It is our responsibility me and you to end child marriage, teenage pregnancies and GBV by performing our roles.

A cross section of teenage mothers celebrating after completion of their training.

GEDA Uganda kick starts the shoe making and knitting program for the teenage mothers.

Earlier this year, we embarked on bringing hope to the teenage mothers in the region. The covid-19 pandemic did not only leave school going girls idle at home but also created more harm and some of these were impregnanted. The would be fathers of the children have since left the teenage mothers struggling to fend for their children and themselves.

At Gender-Environment and Development Action, we started on sessions to bring hope to these young girls, inspirational talks but also skilling for for self-reliance and improved livelihood.

Earlier this month our skilling program started with tailoring skills that are currently on-going with the Kidodo young mothers group.

This week shoe making and Knitting has kick started with another beneficiary group in Nyamwamba Division -Kasese District.

Out trainers are on ground and the training is steadily progressing well…

Details to come…

NEWS BRIEF: GEDA Uganda launches the skilling teenage mothers project in Kasese

Globally, it is estimated that over 2 million girls give birth before they turn 15 each year. That is equal to 5,500 very young girls a day who go directly from childhood to motherhood. These teenage mothers are often out of school, married and exposed to several economic hardships that make their lives complicated and yet they have lives to take care of thereby making their children prone to malnutrition and in extreme cases death. Kasese District is not exceptional of these challenges.

It is against this background that Gender-Environment and Development Action launched a project called “Empowering teenage mothers with skills for self-reliance and improved livelihood” in Kasese Municipality.

The project will benefit 90 teenage mothers in the municipality of Kasese in the skills namely knitting, tailoring, and shoe making.

speaking at the launch the Managing Director GEDA Uganda promised and gave hope to the teenage mothers and told them GEDA Uganda will support them to realise their vison and goals, the teenage mothers group called Kidodo young mothers appreciated GEDA Uganda’s efforts to support.

GEDA Uganda donated one sewing machine and other training materials like scissors, clothes, etc to the group and promised to support even further

Details to come

Skilling teenage mothers for Adaptation to COVID-19 effects in Kasese

In Uganda like elsewhere around the world, Covid-19 has led to an increase in teenage pregnancy. In order to gain basic necessities like sanitary towels, girls have engaged in negative coping mechanisms like transactional sex with men who took advantage of their need for money. Teenage pregnancies, among other factors is increasing the number of girls not in school. 98 million adolescent girls worldwide  were not in school before COVID yet an additional 20 million is projected to be added due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Kasese District in western Uganda ranks highly in the magnitude of early marriages and teenage pregnancies rooted within the cultural norms with research evidence revealing that 52% of women aged 18-67 had prior teenage pregnancy. The situation was worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic lock down that led to the closure of schools.

Data from the District health, education and probation offices show that in July 2020, 2,372 school going girls conceived and 128 married off during the lock down in only 10 Districts, Kasese inclusive. This was partly attributed to the lockdown that created more redundant time for the learners, who ideally were supposed to be engrossed in the government’s e-learning program.

It is against this background that Gender-Environment and Development Action started the skilling programme for teenage mothers to equip them with life skills to help them function independently as adults and parents. The programme is targeting 10 groups of teenage mothers with a total membership of 300 in Kasese District Western Uganda.

The programme kicked off with training of 21 teenage mothers in menstrual hygiene management that focused on making of reusable sanitary pads. The 21 trainees are form from Kasese Municipal teenage mothers group that has a membership of 35 aged 14 – 20, all having babies aged 0-1 year.  This is an indication that all these conceived during the lockdown. The training in making of reusable sanitary pads was conducted by Ms.Kidima Margret of GEDA Uganda in Kidodo cell, Central Division, Kasese Municipality where the group members reside. The training was practical and by the end of the training session each participant was able to make 2 reusable sanitary pads.

During the training the young mothers in the their words appreciated Gender-Environment and Development Action for the work done and one of trainees aged  16 years had this to say “this skill is going to help me make my own pads for use and some for sale that will me help me buy soap and other small basic needs for my baby”, she however appealed to GEDA and other development partners to support them with more skills like tailoring, shoe making, knitting among others that will help  them generate income to take care of themselves and their babies. She further added that that given an opportunity, she would go back to school.

In attendance was the Community Development officer from Kasese Municipality who thanked GEDA-Uganda for the support and requested for more skilling trainings for the adolescent mothers. The training also integrated a module on the basic of GBV and VAC prevention and response. GEDA- Uganda Shared their tool free line number 0800100029 with the teenage mothers to report any cases of GBV and VAC and as well report any challenges that they service for timely response and referral.

There an urgent call for Government and other development partners to support life skilling for teenage mothers to help them function independently as adults and as parents to take good care of their children and as well be economically empowered to resist any further negative coping mechanism that lead to viscous cycle of teenage pregnancies, poverty and malnutrition.

GEDA has a comprehensive training manual for teenage mothers with modules on  self-realization, skilling,  psychosocial support, parenting, reproductive health,  nutrition for lactating and children below 5years , financial inclusion and protection for delivery of a comprehensive training package.

 

 

 

GEDA- UGANDA JOINING THE COMMEMORATION OF THE WORLD BREASTFEEDING WEEK(WBW) 2020

REFLECTION ON BREASTFEEDING AND THE ENVIRONMENT:

Every year, the globe commemorates the World breastfeeding week in the first week of the month of August.

This week, Uganda Joins other parts of the world in commemoration of the world breast feeding week that starts today the 1st August through 7th of August 2020 reflecting on a national theme “Safe breastfeeding for a healthier nation”.

This year’s theme focuses on the impact of Breastfeeding on the environment and the obligation to protect, promote and Support safe breastfeeding for a healthier nation.

World breastfeeding week has the dual goal of improving the health of babies and promoting, protecting, and supporting the rights of women to breastfeed anywhere and at any time.

One could imagine why WBW commemoration?

The WBW commemoration provides governments, international, national, community based and civil society organizations as well as all other stakeholders an opportunity to conduct massive advocacy and campaigns aimed at promoting, protecting and supporting breastfeeding.

This comes along with activities that create awareness to communities on optimal breastfeeding practices, training of health care practitioners to provide support to mothers/parents in regard to appropriate breastfeeding, formulation and implementation of the legislations and policies concerning breastfeeding and   breastmilk substitutes as well as reflecting on commitments towards achieving optimal breastfeeding practices and the SDGs.

This year’s World Breastfeeding Week also highlights the huge benefits that breastfeeding can bring to the health and welfare of babies and to maternal health, focusing on good nutrition, poverty reduction, food security and protection of environment.

From the reflection on the WBW theme, we recognize that breastmilk is a natural, renewable nutritious food that is produced and delivered to the consumer without pollution, packaging or waste as compared to breastmilk substitutes.

One could also wonder why breastfeeding?

Studies have revealed that breastfeeding is a universal solution that gives everyone a fair start in life and lays a foundation for good health and survival of children and women.

The following reasons make breastfeeding very important;

  • Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients and water that the baby needs for growth and development, rich in antibodies that support the child’s body to fight against infections.
  • Breastmilk is easy to digest, safe and clean and so lowers chances of infections that could result from contamination.
  • Breastfeeding is the cheapest, readily available and most effective way to increase survival and health of children which ultimately results into a healthier planet. “healthy eating for a healthier planet”.
  • Breast feeding creates a bond between the mother and the child.
  • Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of mothers developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart diseases.
  • Prevents mothers from getting pregnant so early when the baby is still very young (can be used as a family planning).
  • In regards to the environment, breastfeeding is an option that can reduce waste, pressure on available food systems and natural resources invested in the production of Breast Milk Substitute

The other person could ask what are the recommended and optimal breastfeeding practices:

  • Breastfeed your baby within the first 1 hour after birth. As the very first yellow breast milk(colostrum) is very good and safe for the baby; It has vast antibodies that protects the baby against diseases.
  • Give the baby breast milk ONLY from birth to 6 completed months. Do not give other foods and drinks like water or juice to the baby. Your breastmilk provides all the food and water that your child needs during this time. Only medicines/syrups prescribed by a qualified health worker should be given.
  • At 6 completed months, breast milk alone no longer provides the baby with adequate nutrients needed for proper growth & development. Breast milk should be complemented with a variety of

adequate, safe and nutrient-dense foods from the 3 main food groups. Once you introduce other foods at 6 completed months, continue to breastfeed the baby up to 2 years and beyond.

What are the barriers to breastfeeding?

Although the value of breastfeeding is well understood, there are many barriers that can make it difficult for women to start and continue breastfeeding. Some of the barriers include;

  • Limited knowledge of the mothers and family members about breastfeeding.
  • Many women do not know about the risks associated with formula feeding and the hazards of improper use.
  • Social cultural norms and myths on breastfeeding. (presenter could mention some myths in our context)
  • Gender roles that limit male involvement and support in breastfeeding.
  • Promotion and marketing of infant formula as a suitable alternative undermines breastfeeding.
  • Many women give birth without access to the quality care, counselling and support from Health workers to initiate breastfeeding within the first hour of birth.
  • Heavy work-load on the mothers which interferes with exclusive breastfeeding as fail to cope with the breastfeeding role.
  • Working environment for breastfeeding mothers is not conducive for breastfeeding e.g. no space available for keeping the baby at the workplace.
  • Policies supporting and promoting breastfeeding have not been enforced e.g. noncompliance of health facilities in supporting breastfeeding particularly in the private health facilities.
  • Limited advocacy for protection, promotion and support for breastfeeding.
  • Lack of adequate infrastructure to supporting breastfeeding e.g. human milk banks to support children who are unable to breastfeed.

Is breastfeeding of help in protecting and safeguarding our environment?

Over the years, the scale of human activities has impacted on the natural resources massively leading to their depletion and destruction as well as increase in the emission of major Greenhouse gases (GHG) that have tremendously led to catastrophic climatic changes.

Due to the continuous climate changes, there is great need to protect our planet and our own health by using resources such as land, water and energy sources responsibly; conserving biodiversity and consuming with care.

Breastmilk is the first food that we consume and is a critical part of a sustainable food system. On the other hand, feeding with breastmilk substitutes (BMS) is a growing phenomenon that is contributing to the problem of environmental crisis which needs to be addressed. We need to better understand the impact of different feeding methods on planetary health in both normal and emergency situations.

When it comes to protecting the environment, every solution count; Breastfeeding too can help in altering the scorecard.

Breastfeeding is clean and environmentally friendly as it needs no water, preparation in terms of cooking/heating, transport and packaging and so produces no waste and pollution.

Therefore, adopting breastfeeding as a climate smart decision means that;

  • We are cutting down on carbon emissions from the dairy farming, production, processing and transport industries.
  • Reducing pressure on natural resources that could be invested in production, packaging, distribution and preparation of breastmilk substitutes (water, forests, land, minerals, energy etc.).
  • We are also cutting on the existing food systems as well as reducing waste from breastmilk substitutes.

Ecological footprint of breastfeeding

Breastfeeding for six months after birth requires on average an additional 500 kcal of energy a day. Although breastfeeding may require an additional intake of water depending on factors such as weather and activity levels, there is no evidence of the amount needed beyond meeting physiological requirements.

All parents should be supported to make healthy nutritional and planetary choices especially throughout the reproductive continuum, which includes breastfeeding.

Ecological footprint of breastmilk substitutes (BMS)

  1. Dairy farming and the carbon trap;

The main ingredient of most BMS is cows’ and goats’ milk. Dairy farming typically releases substantial amounts of methane and other GHG. Furthermore, feed rations or grazing areas needed by dairy cattle can lead to deforestation. This in turn increases the amount of carbon dioxide, as trees are no longer available to absorb it and provide the carbon trap to prevent climate change. It’s also important to note that majority of the feed   rations for dairy animals are derived from cereals and soybeans grown with intensive use of pesticides and fertilisers. This leaves behind another major ecological footprint.

  1. Energy sources and carbon emissions;

The production, packaging, distribution, transportation and preparation processes of BMS, as with most food production, requires energy. If the source of energy is fossil fuels, the carbon foot print (CFP)will be higher.

Ggovernments and industries are encourageed to work towards reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy to meet global climate goals on climate change.

  1. Waste in our environment

Waste is another factor to consider in terms of ecological footprint. Feeding one million babies with formula for two years requires on average approximately 150 million cans of formula. Metal cans, if not recycled, are likely to end up in landfill sites, while plastic, aluminium and paper waste often end up in our oceans.

  1. Water footprint of BMS.

Water footprint refers to the total volume of fresh water used to produce the goods and services consumed by an individual or community or which are produced by a business.

BMS production and preparation require water and fresh water is a scarce natural resource and commodity and therefore needs to be protected. Efforts to conserve, recycle and replenish our water sources are essential.

Given the comparative analysis breastfeeding is very important and plays a key role in protecting the ecological systems and prevent environmental depletion.

It is therefore our responsibility to promote, protect and support breastfeeding for a healthier nation.

MenEngage in Menstrual hygiene management

Internally displaced men in Kasese District Western Uganda actively participated in making reusable sanitary pads for their wives and children following the adoption of the Men Engage approach by Gender Environment and Development Action Uganda(GEDA-Uganda).

Practical session in progress for the re-usable sanitary pads.

Whereas menstrual hygiene management is always viewed as a women and Girls’ issue, the internally displaced men and boys in Kanyangeya IDP camp in Kasese challenged this narrative by making reusable pads for their women and children during a training organized by GEDA-Uganda.

“My name is Muhindo Rabson commonly known as Kapiriri, I would like to thank GEDA-Uganda for training us in making reusable pads for our women that will improve on menstrual hygiene management and will reduce on our monthly expenditures on sanitary pads. The money saved will be used for other household basic needs……. Our shirts will also be spared since some of our wives have been improvising with pieces of cloth from our shirts due to lack of alternative sanitary pads. With this we will live healthy and peaceful with our wives in the camps”.  

10 Men and boys participated alongside 50 Women and girls that were able to make one complete reusable sanitary pad each by the end of the training bringing the total trained in making of reusable pads to 115 in internally displaced camps in Kasese District. The trained men and boys will be mentored by GEDA-Uganda as role model men and boys in menstrual hygiene management, reproductive health, GBV and VAC mitigation and Response in the IDP camps.

Men engaged in making re-usable sanitary pads during the training.

There is still a huge need for sanitary pads for women and girls of reproductive age in internally Displaced Person’s camps in Kasese District that calls for attention from Government, CSOs, Development partners and well-wishers.    The unmet needs for sanitary pads if not given attention may lead to bad coping mechanisms for women and girls like using any available materials as sanitary pads that may pose a health threat.

During the training, GEDA Uganda also created awareness on menstrual hygiene management and sexual and reproductive health for teenage girls and boys.

In addition, GEDA Uganda is also creating awareness on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC) prevention and response using awareness sessions in camps, radio talk shows, radio drama series on Guide radio-Kasese and is using it,s toll free line (0800100029) for response and referral for GBV, VAC, Sex and reproductive health.

Participants posing for a photo with GEDA staff at the end of the training.

Child marriages still remains a challenge in Kasese District

Child marriage is a global problem affecting millions of girls across the world. It is considered a human rights violation because it deprives those involved of education and health services, the chance to learn skills and develop their personalities and leaves them vulnerable. It is an appalling violation of human rights and robs girls of their education, health and long-term prospects.

Uganda is one of the countries with the highest early and forced marriage. 10% of girls are married off before the age of 15 and 40% of girls re married off before their 18th birth day (UNICEF 2011).

Even when Marriage remains one of the celebrated moments and a key millstone among families across Rwenzori region. Sadly, there is no more cause of celebration today because of the high cases of child marriages in the region.

In 2014, Kasese District hit the headlines when a 12-year-old girl was “officially” married off.  Currently, several villages in Kasese are dotted with child mothers.

Sowed, Kitanywa, the Kasese District Senior Probation and Social Welfare Officer, then said the district was grappling with high school dropout rates. He said most girls are persuaded to drop out of school by men into marriage according to Uganda radio network (URN Jan 2020).

Recent statistics in Kasese indicate that for every 94% girl children who attend primary one, only 32% manage to reach primary seven. Three-quarters of the children who start primary education never make it to secondary level.

Kitanywa blames this trend on violence against children in school, parental neglect and lack of cooperation among the community to have guided this trend.

The narrative seems not to have changed either. This was revealed during a radio talk show conducted by GEDA Uganda this week about the causes, dangers and effects of early marriages. It was highlighted by the Officer in Charge (OC) child and family protection unit Kasese that poverty, domestic violence, wars or displacement, peer pressure, negative cultural beliefs, lack of essential needs like sanitary pads are the most causes of early marriages. Adverse effects of this problem has led to child mothers, poverty to their young families, stunted brain development and growth of children produced since they do not have enough and the rightful nutritious foods to feed their children on, family breakages, high infant mortality rate and other health challenges like fistula since these girls bones are not strong enough to push babies. According to statistics from Kasese Police since March 2020, 30 children have since been reported married, 24 defiled and for Isule health center in Maliba sub county, from December 2019 to March 2020 50 girls were attending antenatal care. The new vision of 13th March 2020, Government is worried that about 10 millon children may not go back to school after lockdown both boys and girls. Currently kasese has Maliba, Munkunyu, Mpondwe-Lhubiriha town council, Karambi, Hima, Karusandara, Nyakatonzi and Kilembe sub-counties leading in early child marriages.

The magnitude of the problem is big and needs efforts of every duty bearer, parents, civil society organizations, Government to curb this. GEDA Uganda is adding her small contribution to end this vice by mass awareness through radio talk shows, drama series, engaging girls and women in the make of reusable sanitary pads for sustainability purposes and avoiding temptations from the girls and women with bad coping up mechanisms.

It is our responsibility to end child marriages now. It’s time up. Together we can defeat this vice.

GEDA Uganda toll free line 0800100029 is still available to report such cases just in case you have no access to police and other responsible leaders.

Periods neither stop in pandemics nor disasters

GEDA–Uganda takes Action with internally Displaced women and girls in Kasese- Uganda.

Every year on May 28, Menstrual Hygiene Day (MH Day) is celebrated across the world.  It’s time for Action was the theme for the 2020 MH Day in Uganda. Cognizant of the theme GEDA-Uganda has continued with post MH Day activities amongst the internally displaced persons(IDPs) in Kasese District in   Western Uganda.

GEDA- Uganda has so far trained 65 women and girls of reproductive age in making of reusable pads in Crimson PS camp as a more sustainable approach for menstrual hygiene management for the displaced persons. GEDA will train a total 150 women and girls as TOTs in the camps to train other women and girls in IDPs. The menstrual hygiene day of 2020 was commemorated amidst a double tragedy of Covid-19 pandemic and floods disaster in Kasese District that saw a total of about 500 households displaced and currently living in about 24 IDPs in Kasese District.

There is a huge need for sanitary pads for women and girls of reproductive age in these camps that calls for attention from Government, CSOs, Development partners and well-wishers.

In her remarks Kabugho Alice one of the trainees thanked GEDA Uganda for having trained them to make reusable sanitary pads “I thank GEDA Uganda for having trained us in the use of sanitary pads”

GEDA Staff instructing and helping women to cut the cloth for the exercise

Similarly Kibikwamu Alice appreciated GEDA Uganda “Am grateful to GEDA for the training offered to us that in such a single a day we’re able to learn all this, continue training even in other bigger things, GOD bless you”

The unmet needs for sanitary pads if not given attention may lead to bad coping mechanisms for women and girls like using any available materials as sanitary pads that may pose a health threat.

During the training, GEDA Uganda created awareness on menstrual hygiene management, sexual and reproductive health management.

Trainees posing with their finished products after the training. Extreme right is GEDA’s Margret Kidima

In addition GEDA Uganda is also creating awareness on Gender Based Violence (GBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC) prevention and response using awareness sessions in camps, radio talk shows, radio drama series on Guide radio-Kasese. GEDA Uganda is using it’s toll free line (0800100029) for response and referral for GBV, VAC and reproductive health.

Voices from trainees.

 

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