The goal of the JAS Programme is “A progressive social movement boldly challenging the deep structures affecting the realization of SRHR in Uganda”.
CEHURD is cognizant that to reach this goal, it is imperative to not only recognize the contribution of all stakeholders who have lifted the SRHR profile in Uganda but also to closely work with some of the key stakeholders to implement the Joint Advocacy for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Uganda (JAS) Programme.
Reach A Hand Uganda (RAHU) is a youth centered organisation focusing on youth empowerment programs with emphasis on Livelihoods and; Skills Development, Behavior Change Communication, Sexual Reproductive Health and; Rights, modern contraception and family planning and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. Founded in 2011, RAHU works with young people 12 – 24 years in both rural and urban communities in Uganda to increase awareness through information dissemination on SRHR and strengthening of the health service value chain through traceable referral linkages. Having started as a weekend outreach programme, RAHU’s overall vision remains one where every young person is able to make informed life choices backed by the availability of accurate and timely information.
As a youth centered organization that has over 9 years’ experience working on youth SRHR programming and evidenced-based information targeted at district level decision-makers to facilitate participation in transparent accountability processes for young people as rights’ holders, RAHU intends to carry out diverse grassroots and national level activities to contribute to the overall programme goal, which is, “To build a progressive social movement boldly challenging the deep structures affecting the realization of SRHR in Uganda”.
By using a Rights Based Approach and prioritizing Meaningful Youth Participation, RAHU will footnote its growing movement of youth champions and advocates aged 16 – 24 years to engage different local, district and national leaders to revisit and assess the gaps in the community structures that continue to hinder the realization of SRHR. Focusing on Kampala, Wakiso and Mbarara as the implementation districts, RAHU intends to further leverage the audiences from schools, the media and the JAS implementing partners to effect a holistic strategy that fully represents the agency of young people and adolescents in transparency and accountability processes for SRHR decision making.