Lack of basic public services, such as education, aggravate people’s vulnerability and worsen the population’s resilience to crises and disasters, particularly in communities that receive refugees. Respect for and acceptance of sexual and reproductive health and rights are generally low. Child marriage and teenage pregnancies are major challenges for society. Discrimination on grounds of gender, sexual orientation and disability is a very common occurrence, as is sexually and gender-based violence. However, there is a strong women’s movement that is an important actor for greater gender equality.

Sweden will help to ensure that more people achieve a good level of health in Uganda. In support of this, different actors in society are needed that work to increase knowledge about health and demand for and access to basic good quality health and medical care services. In particular, Sweden will help to ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights are respected, and that information and services are accepted and provided to a greater extent. Activities should also help strengthen the resilience and social security of children. This applies primarily to vulnerable children in communities that receive refugees.

The activities of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) contribute to the following objectives:

Equitable health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights:

• Improved and equitable access to basic health and medical care, with a focus on women, children and young people
• Greater access to and respect for sexual and reproductive health and rights
• Greater health resilience and social security for children