National Multi-Sectoral Coordination Framework for Adolescent Girls in Uganda

The Multi-sectoral Framework for Adolescent Girls outlines the Government of Uganda’s commitments and efforts on investing in adolescence as the second decade of life. Some of the objectives of the Framework include: provide a strong advocacy tool based on the current state of scientific evidence on the importance of investing in adolescents as well as the situation of adolescent girls themselves in Uganda; provide a common platform and concerted effort across different sectors to shift key indicators for adolescent girls’ development and wellbeing, with measurable results; provide a coordination framework; coordination between policies/interventions in different sectors and ministries; provide a basis for planning, budgeting and resource mobilization to support investments in adolescent girls; provide a platform for involvement of adolescent girls in issues regarding their development and wellbeing. UNICEF is working with the government and partners to provide integrated and youth-responsive health information, care and support to adolescents at risk of, and living with, HIV and AIDS. This includes implementing the School Health Policy, improving access to HIV testing and TB diagnosis, preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV from adolescent mothers to their babies, and treatment and support for adolescents with HIV and TB. UNICEF is supporting life skills education in schools, including adolescent-friendly reproductive health education and awareness-raising on HIV transmission and prevention, using various platforms like clubs, sports, music, dance and drama.