Background
Trends show that on average every Ugandan woman will have at least 7 children in her lifetime. Though there are floating arguments that this can be an opportunity to grow its middle class and workforce, Uganda’s fast growing population growth currently poses more challenges to the social, economic and political development than opportunities. The Uganda Bureau of Statistics shows that there are only 265,700 jobs each year for youth leaving tertiary institutions, 650,000 homes can only have one meal a day and there is just 1 doctor for almost 25,000 patients. The current population growth however outpaces development and therefore creating an outcry for land, jobs, shelter and many more needs.
In its efforts to reach millions of Ugandans with health solutions through strategic messaging, The Uganda Health Marketing Group (UHMG) has now rolled out the first ever nationwide participatory youth campaign for smaller families tag named GENEXT.
GENEXT is a revolution that brings together youth aged 18 – 30 years who are rallying for smaller families. The GENEXT revolution believes all youth have a “right” to be able to live the good life and this can be realized by having a small family.
A smaller population will guarantee a good education, better jobs, money for food, and quality of life for children which will see a socially, economically and politically stronger Uganda.
Goal: To influence and change the mindset of the target audience, motivating them to adopt the behavior that results in to family planning and smaller families.
VISION: To see a smaller population by 2013.This will be created by a movement of activists who can be mobilized to stand up for smaller and manageable families.
Mission: GENEXT campaign is committed to empowering young men and women with knowledge and skills to improve their lives and secure their future by championing smaller families.
Objectives:
- Change the mindset of rural communities, political leaders and the country as whole to value small family size.
- Create a supportive & enabling environment for people to understand the need for family planning and how it will improve the quality of life
- Create a wake up revolution among those who have intent to adopt family planning.
- Generate adequate demand for family planning services and commodities within communities
- Increase the user base for family planning methods and thus increase the contraceptive Use.
For more information please visit www.genext.ug or facebook on genextuganda!
