SRHR is a Fundamental Pillar of Human Capital Development - UNFPA's Kristine Blokhus

The official signing ceremony of the SAYPlus Program between UNFPA and the Kingdom of Netherlands

Kristine Blokhus signed on behalf of UNFPA. Below are her slightly edited remarks at the event. 

UNFPA's Kristine Blokhus during the 
official signing of the SAY Plus 
agreement 

By Kristine Blokhus:

On behalf of UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, I want to express my profound gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for this USD 16 million contribution to the SAY Plus+ programme. 

I would like to pay special tribute to the Government of Uganda, and specifically acknowledge the leadership of the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Health’s strong stewardship and commitment to adolescent and youth health provided the very foundation for the SAY Plus+ Programme. It is through your leadership that we have a strong national framework that prioritises integrated health service delivery, bodily autonomy, and rights for all young people across the country.  

As we commemorate this new chapter with the Netherlands, we must also honor the foundation on which we stand. We extend our gratitude to the Embassy of Denmark, the pioneering partner whose early vision and investment launched the original SAY programme. That foundation created the momentum that allowed Sweden and Iceland to join this consortium, scaling our collective ambition into what is now the SAY Plus+ Programme. Today, the Netherlands joins this multi-partner programme.  

Some 73 percent of people in Uganda are under the age of 30, and as a result, Uganda is experiencing a very unique moment in its history. We are looking at what we call a demographic window of opportunity; this is the moment where a large youth population can contribute and build the country and grow the economy in such a way that ten fold growth is indeed possible.  

And yet: that does not happen on its own. It requires the right investments in making sure that population is healthy, educated, and employed. We cannot unlock that economic dividend if our young people are hindered by systemic barriers to their bodily autonomy, health, and safety. The bridge between Uganda’s youthful population and its future economic prosperity is built on their choices and their rights, and in particular their ability to enjoy their sexual and reproductive health and rights.  

Some 24% of teenage girls get pregnant every year. That translates to 1000 girls every single day. These teenage girls often have to drop out of school, which affects their future prospects. An unplanned pregnancy, a case of gender-based violence, or an unmanaged health need abruptly halts a young person’s education and professional path. When an adolescent girl cannot exercise her sexual and reproductive rights or complete her schooling, it is a personal tragedy. But it is also a tragedy for the country. These girls and their contributions are needed. Without them and their productive capacities, the ten fold growth of the economy cannot happen.  

SRHR is a fundamental pillar of human capital development.  This is why the SAY Plus+ programme exists, and why this USD 16 Million contribution from the Netherlands is so vital.   

Through SAY Plus+, we are targeting the core SRHR bottlenecks that prevent young people from thriving: 

● Equipping health facilities and community platforms to deliver integrated, youth-friendly SRHR, HIV, and SGBV services.  

● Ensuring adolescents have the accurate information and life skills needed to exercise their rights and make safe, informed choices.   

● Working with communities, families, and local leaders to tackle harmful practices, prevent child marriage, and end gender-based violence.   

Throughout, we are working through, and in support of, government systems. We do not create parallel structures. We want to leave behind strengthened institutions and more resilient communities.  

Equally crucial to this signing is our shared commitment under this grant to establish the Youth Advisory Committee (YAC). 

SRHR interventions are only effective when they reflect the real, daily experiences of the young people they are built to serve. The Youth Advisory Committee ensures that young people are engaged as co-architects and accountability partners of  programmes and services designed to serve them and their peers -  including the  SAY Plus+ programme.   

Guided by the principle of "Nothing for us, without us," the YAC provides a direct platform for young change-makers to advise our implementation, monitor progress, and ensure that our health services and community programmes remain truly youth-friendly and responsive.   

In closing, let me speak directly to our key partners gathered here: 

To the Ministry of Health and Government leadership: thank you for creating the enabling environment that allows partnerships like this to flourish. We are grateful for the leadership you show, and for the close collaboration we experience on a daily basis.  

To the Netherlands Embassy: thank you for prioritizing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights. Thank you for understanding why this is important, and for standing behind it. Your support to us is not only financial; we appreciate your voice and your advocacy and the friendship you extend to UNFPA, globally and in Uganda.  

To the young leaders joining us today: You are the reason we are here. We take your messages to us seriously. We know that we cannot succeed without you. And we are here to work with you hand in hand.  

The Author is the UNFPA Uganda Country Representative