CRVPF AGPP Baseline Study Report For Uganda Power Analysis

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND (CRVPF)
ADOLESCENT GIRL
POWER PROGRAMME
BASELINE
EVALUATION REPORT
FOR UGANDA
Contacts:
Children’s’ Rights & Violence Prevention Fund,
1st Floor, Le Palm Building,
Plot 244/245, Lubobo Close, Tank Hill Road Muyenga
P.O. Box 32387, Kampala Uganda
Telephone: + 256 393216519.
March, 2021
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Table of contents
CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................ 10

1.0 About Children’s Rights and Violence Prevention Fund (CRVPF) .........Error! Bookmark not
defined.
1.1 About AGPP Baseline evaluation ...................................................................................... 10
1.2 Goals and Objectives of the Evaluation............................................................................. 10
1.3 Scope of the Baseline Evaluation...................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER 2: STUDY METHODOLOGY .................................................................................................. 11
2.0 Baseline evaluation design ............................................................................................... 11
2.1 Baseline sampling procedures ......................................................................................... 11
2.2 Data sources, data collection and data analysis methods.................................................. 11
Quantitative interviews................................................................................................................. 11
Qualitative interviews ................................................................................................................... 11
2.3 Data processing and analysis ........................................................................................... 11
Quantitative data analysis ............................................................................................................ 11
Qualitative data analysis .............................................................................................................. 11
CHAPTER 3: STUDY FINDINGS ............................................................................................................ 12
3.0 Background characteristics of adolescent girls and parents/caretakers ............................ 12
3.1 Safe spaces...................................................................................................................... 15
3.2 Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRH&R) ................................................................. 23
3.3 Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV).......................................................................... 32
3.4 Life skills ......................................................................................................................... 34
CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................... 39
4.0 Conclusions & Recommendations. ................................................................................... 39
APPENDIX............................................................................................................................................ 43
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List of figures
Figure 1: Distribution of Adolescents by age ...................................................................................... 12

Figure 2: Adolescents’ status .............................................................................................................. 13
Figure 3: Education level of Adolescents ............................................................................................ 13
Figure 4: Adolescents marital status, age at first marriage and age at first birth ............................... 14
Figure 5: Distribution of parents by sex and age ................................................................................. 14
Figure 6: Knowledge on safe spaces ................................................................................................... 15
Figure 7: Adolescents belonging to safe spaces .................................................................................. 16
Figure 8: Places where girls meet during their free time .................................................................... 16
Figure 9: Feedback on Safety of the safe spaces ................................................................................. 17
Figure 10: SRH&R decisions made by adolescent girls as an attribution to participation in the safe
spaces ................................................................................................................................................. 17
Figure 11: Activities conducted by adolescents in the safe spaces ..................................................... 18
Figure 12: Adolescents consulted by their friends for advice ............................................................. 19
Figure 13: Adolescent engagements with parents .............................................................................. 19
Figure 14: Adolescents contributing ideas to discussions at home ..................................................... 20
Figure 15: Adolescent girls encouraged by their family to express themselves .................................. 20
Figure 16: Adolescent role model experiences ................................................................................... 21
Figure 17: Adolescents with adequate self-esteem to speak their mind ............................................ 21
Figure 18: Adolescents combining efforts to support community ...................................................... 22
Figure 19: Adolescents interested in leadership ................................................................................. 22
Figure 20: Opinions on the right age at marriage ............................................................................... 24
Figure 21: Adolescent girls’ opinion regarding the SRH&R decision makers in the community .......... 24
Figure 22: Parents opinion regarding the SRH&R decision makers in the community ........................ 25
Figure 23: Adolescents who made decisions on when to get married ................................................ 25
Figure 24: Knowledge on family planning services ............................................................................. 26
Figure 25: Access to family planning services among the adolescents ............................................... 27
Figure 27: Knowledge on any sexual act as a risk exposure to pregnancy .......................................... 27
Figure 28: Adolescents without knowledge that girls having sex for the first time are at risk of getting
pregnant ............................................................................................................................................. 28
Figure 29: Adolescent girls without knowledge that a girl at puberty can get pregnant before starting
menstruation ...................................................................................................................................... 28
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Figure 31: Adolescents without knowledge that having sex during menstruation can result into
pregnancy ........................................................................................................................................... 29
Figure 33: Parents who face difficulty in discussing sex related topics with their daughters ............. 29
Figure 34: Adolescents who shared SRH information with their parents ........................................... 30
Figure 35: Parents who discuss relationships with their daughters .................................................... 30
Figure 37: Parent who discuss contraception topics with their daughters ......................................... 31
Figure 39: Parents who discuss puberty & growth with their daughters ............................................ 31
Figure 40: Parents who discuss menstrual hygiene with their daughters ........................................... 32
Figure 41: Forum for access of padding materials by adolescents ...................................................... 32
Figure 42: Adolescent girls who have ever had sexual intercourse against their will ......................... 33
Figure 45: Individuals who were entrusted with GBV related information by adolescents ................ 34
Figure 46: Adolescent girls who feel satisfied with themselves .......................................................... 35
Figure 50: Adolescent girls confidently discussing SRH issues with their parents ............................... 35
Figure 51: Parents discussing future career with their daughters....................................................... 36
Figure 52: Discussion on livelihood priorities ...................................................................................... 36
Figure 53: Decision makers regarding girls’ engagement in income generation activities .................. 37
Figure 54: Adolescents possessing adequate skills to engage in income generating activities ........... 37
List of tables
Table 1: Skills needed by adolescent girls to successfully set up and manage their own Income
generation activity .............................................................................................................................. 38
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LIST OF ACRONYMS
AGPP: Adolescent Girl Power Programme
ASRH: Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights
ATI: Access to Information
CBO: Community Based Organisation
CRVPF: Child Rights and Violence Prevention Fund
FGDs: Focus Group Discussions
FP: Family Planning
GBV: Gender Based Violence
GoU: Government of Uganda
IGA: Income Generating Activity
INSY: In School Youth
KIIs: Key Informant Interviews
LC: Local Council
NGO: Non-Governmental Organization
OOSY: Out of School Youth
SGBV: Sexual and Gender Based Violence
SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Scientists
SRHR: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
VAC: Violence Against Children
VHT: Village Health Teams
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Background: Clusters information
Methodology: The evaluation adopted a cross-sectional study design, which employed mixed method
approaches comprising of qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection as well as desk
review. The study interacted with 1039 adolescent girls aged 15-19 years and 637 parents and or
guardians through the surveys. The qualitative approaches included the Focus Group Discussions
(FGDs) that were utilized to validate the quantitative results as well as generate in-depth and detailed
information from the selected key stakeholders and/or subject matter experts to explain the safe spaces,
leadership, life skills SRH&R and GBV situation of the Adolescent girls as well as the prevailing supportive
environment from the caretakers.
Key Findings
Safe spaces: There were low knowledge levels (30%) regarding the existence of safe spaces with
Lyantonde at 49% while 20% was for Central region (Kampala and Wakiso). In every 10 adolescents, 7
of them (71%) were aware of the existence of safe spaces with 31% meeting and discussing their issues
from school and 16% discussing from home. An overwhelming majority of adolescents who belonged to
a safe space affirmed that the safe spaces were “safe” with all the clusters having above 90% with
Lyantonde as the highest (94%) while Luwero and Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had 92%. Sex
education was the main activity carried out by adolescents while at the safe spaces with 34% and low
proportions (34%) of adolescents made SRH&R decisions as an attribution to their participation in the
safe spaces with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) at 49% compared to Lyantonde with 21%.
Leadership: Up to 17% adolescent girls confided in their friends for advice with more in-school (19%)
and (13%) for the out of school. Low confidence levels of (30%) were evidenced among adolescent girls
who engaged with their parents/caretakers with 32% among the in- school with Central region having the
highest proportions at 33% and 22% for Lyantonde. Low proportions (34%) of adolescents were encouraged
by their family members to express themselves whereby Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the
highest proportions (38%) compared to Lyantonde with the least at 26%. Furthermore, results revealed
low proportions of adolescents (31%) who were able to live exemplary lives among their peers with more
girls in-school (34%). About 3 in every 10 adolescents (27%) were able to speak what was on their mind
and 19% were able to encourage their peers to jointly work towards helping their communities. There
were low proportions of adolescents who expressed interest in being leaders in their school and
community with 40% with with Lyantonde cluster having the highest proportions of 43% compared to
Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with 35%.
Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR): Results revealed high proportions (82%) of adolescents
who identified themselves with the recommended right age for a girl to get married as 20 years and above
while 60% of the parents noted that the girl herself decides when to get married. Majority of adolescents
were knowledgeable that the girl herself made SRH&R decisions while all the parents agreed that the girl
herself made the SRH&R decisions that affect her life. Up to 51% of the adolescents had knowledge on
family planning services with 58% out of school and 46% in-school. Lyantonde cluster had the highest
proportion (63%) followed by Luwero with 60% and lastly was Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with
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37%. Up to 67% of the adolescents identified family planning services as accessible with 49% accessing
them from public hospitals. Minimal proportions adolescents had shared SRH information with their
parents at 19% and moderate ignorance levels were observed among adolescents with 42% who had no
idea that first time sexual intercourse puts a girl at risk of getting pregnant while 78% were ignorant of the
fact that a girl at puberty can get pregnant before she starts to see her menstruation. Furthermore, up to
38% of parents faced difficulties while discussing sex related topics with their daughters with more males
at 66%. Majority of the female parents discussed puberty and growth with their daughters with 76% and
83% of the female parents discussed menstrual hygiene.
Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV): Study results revealed low proportions (13%) of adolescents
who had ever had sexual intercourse against their will with the highest (19%) from Lyantonde cluster
while Luwero had the least with 9%. Among these, 22% were out of school adolescents. Lyantonde
cluster had the highest proportions with SGBV victims at 19% compared to Central region (Kampala and
Wakiso) with 12% and Luwero with 9%. Boy friends and neighbours were identified as the leading
perpetrators of SGBV to the adolescent girls with 30% and 28% respectively. In regard to the community
structure which adolescents confidently report to or share information on SGBV issues, the police
institution stood out at 30% and closely followed with mothers at 27%. These two actors therefore are
fundamental players and should be optimised in SGBV prevention and remediation.
Life skills: There were low levels (19%) of discussions on SRH issues between young people and their
parents. Among these, Luwero had the highest (22%) while the least were from Central (Kampala and
Wakiso) with 17%. Results further revealed high proportions of parents with 8 in every 10 (80%) who
discussed future career with their daughters, majority (83%) of whom were male parents. Lyantonde had
the highest proportion with 87% while Central (Kampala and Wakiso) had the least with 72%. There were
more discussions on livelihood than SRHR between parents and their daughters with almost 6 in every
10 adolescents (56%). There were low proportions (36%) of adolescents who identified girls with
responsibility to make decisions regarding their involvement in income generating activities. There were
minimal proportions (33%) of adolescents who identified themselves with adequate skills to engage in
income generating activities. Up to 35% of adolescents felt satisfied with themselves with 40% for the in-
school adolescents with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with the highest with 45% while Lyantonde
had 16%.
Conclusions and Recommendations

Safe spaces: Findings revealed limited knowledge levels on the existence of the safe spaces with
Lyantonde having the highest knowledge levels while Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the least
levels. There were minimal proportions of adolescents who were able to make SRH&R decisions as an
attribution to their participation in the safe spaces with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) having
higher proportions compared to Lyantonde with the least proportions. Among those who belonged to a
safe space, majority acknowledged that there was safety at the safe spaces with Lyantonde having the
highest proportions while Luwero and Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had slightly lower
proportions. Low information sharing among the adolescents was pronounced when they met at the safe
spaces and sex education was the main activity conducted by adolescents while at the safe spaces.
Accordingly, the AGPP should sensitize parents and inform them about the importance of the safe spaces
in line with the adolescents SRH&R decisions which in turn will make more parents allow their adolescent
girls to actively participate in the safe spaces within their communities. Scale up awareness campaigns
on the existence and importance of safe spaces among the out of school adolescents and Central region
(Kampala and Wakiso) that had the least knowledge levels. Placing more emphasis on developing
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strategies that activate meetings and activities of adolescents who belong to the safe spaces and
strengthening school and community structures to provide a safe meeting environment for the
adolescents as they meet during their free time.
Leadership: There is largely low disclosure of SRH&R and GBV issues by adolescents to their peers for
advice coupled with low confidence in parents/caretakers. Furthermore, low levels of involvement of
adolescents towards contributing ideas for discussions at home were evidenced with few adolescents
encouraged by their families to express themselves openly. Additionally, minimal proportions of
adolescents were encouraged by their families to express themselves with Central region (Kampala and
Wakiso) having the highest proportions compared to Lyantonde. Low proportions of adolescents were
interested in being leaders in their communities with Lyantonde cluster having the highest proportions
compared to Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with the lowest.
Therefore, The AGPP should focus on building sustainable community voice and action related platforms
that will work with families and duty bearers to enable adolescents actively take part in raising concerns
and issues about access to SRH&R and GBV related information in their communities, engage parents
in the SRH&R aspects of their daughters to ease communication between the parents and their
daughters. Develop parent and child communication strategies that will improve interpersonal
communications across both parents and adolescents. Additionally, parents need to encourage their
daughters and applaud them for their good deeds in case of any an aspect that will promote and
accelerate the delivery of integrated SRH&R and GBV programmes in their communities.
Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR): Majority of the adolescent girls recognized that the right
age for a girl to get married was above the age of 18 years and further noted that the adolescent girls
made SRH&R decisions that affected their lives themselves. There was also universal knowledge among
parents regarding the responsibility for the girl child in making their own SRH&R decisions that affect her
lives. There were also average knowledge levels on family planning services among the adolescents in
the community and mostly among out of school. The Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the lowest
knowledge levels followed by Luwero. Low proportions of parents expressed faced difficulties while
discussing sex related topics with their daughters with more males having a challenge. Furthermore, high
proportions of parents discussed contraception and menstrual hygiene related topics with their daughters
with female parents taking lead, results further revealed limited access to SRH&R services.
Subsequently, the AGPP should work together with the government and social cultural structures to
ensure that the perpetrators of child marriage in the communities are brought to book and the practice
discouraged. Strengthening community distribution mechanisms for family planning methods through
using the existing community structures like the Village Health Teams (VHTs). Involvement of male
parents through conducting parenting sessions with them to equip them with skills on how to discuss
SRH&R freely with their daughters on key SRH&R issues including sexuality. Sensitising male parents
about the importance of talking with their daughters in aspects relating to their SRH&R, an aspect that
will strengthen the bond between the daughters and their fathers thereby approaching them in case of
any SRH&R challenge.
Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV): Results revealed low proportions of adolescent girls who
had ever had sexual intercourse against their will with out of school adolescents most affected and
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especially from the Lyantonde cluster. Majority of adolescents expressed they would trust the police with
the SGBV information in case of any occurrence while boyfriends were reported as the leading
perpetrators of forceful sexual intercourse to the adolescent girls in the communities.
Therefore, the AGPP should work together with the law enforcing bodies like the police and courts of law
to ensure that SGBV offenders are punished an aspect that will help cab down and totally eliminate the
SGBV related acts in society especially among the out of school adolescents and those from the
Lyantonde cluster. Encouraging caretakers to freely interact with their children during their free time
regarding the aspects of SGBV, this will create a free environment between the parents and their
daughters whereby in case of any SGBV occurrence, it is easy for them to confide in their parents.
Additionally, reporting structures for SGBV should be clearly marked and strict measures put in place to
ensure that as SGBV occurs to the girls in the communities and schools, they have liberty to freely report
to the existing structures like hospitals, police and courts of law to get justice that they deserve.
Life Skills: There were low confidence levels among adolescents who engaged in discussing SRH
issues with their parents and with most of these discussions happening with their mothers. Central
(Kampala and Wakiso) continued with the least proportions of adolescents with life skills. There were
also minimal proportions of adolescent girls who expressed that they made the decision to engage in
income generating activities as well as those who expressed to have adequate skills to engage in income
generating activities of their choices. Results notably indicate high proportions of parents who expressed
had discussed with their daughters regarding their future career and with most of the engagements
happening with male parents especially in the Lyantonde cluster.
Consequently, there is need for strengthened engagements with parents and guardians specifically the
fathers of adolescents to effectively undertake responsible parenting partly through holding discussions
with their children relating to SRH&R choices, training adolescent girls and supporting them with start-up
capital and kits to boost their engagement in income generating activities. There is additional need
to work with vocational training institutions and provide subsidized services to young girls as a way of
increasing their enrolment and retention rates. This process will enable them acquire the required hands-
on skills that will ably support their income generating activities.
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CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
1.0 About cluster partners of CRVPF

1.1 About AGPP Baseline evaluation
In an effort to determine the benchmarks for measuring the change that will be contributed by Ugandan
cluster partners of CRVPF under the adolescent girls’ power program (AGPP), a baseline survey was
conducted in the operational areas of Lyantonde, Luwero, Wakiso and Kampala. With support from
CRVPF, the three (3) clusters led the data collection exercise from adolescent girls and parents.
1.2 Goals and Objectives of the Evaluation

The goal of the baseline was to establish the change brought about by the adolescent girls’ power
program AGPP) among the beneficiaries.
This evaluation was to identify the most pressing SRHR and GBV for adolescents in the target
communities of programme implementation. Specifically, the baseline was able to establish:
I. Adolescents’ knowledge on the existence, functionality and membership to the safe spaces
II. Adolescents’ knowledge levels on access and utilization on SRHR services in their respective
communities
III. GBV experiences of adolescents in the communities of programme implementation
1.3 Scope of the Baseline Evaluation

The baseline was to establish the most pressing SRHR needs and GBV for Adolescent girls and
establish knowledge gaps in the communities of programme implementation.
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CHAPTER 2: STUDY METHODOLOGY
2.0 Baseline evaluation design

This was a cross-sectional baseline study, which employed a mixed method approach of data collection.
The study population involved both adolescent girls (in-school and out of school) and the parents/
guardians to these adolescents. A sample size of 1039 adolescent girls aged (15-19) years was
interviewed together with 637 parents/ guardians during the study.
2.1 Baseline sampling procedures
The sampling methods used involved both probability and non-probability sampling techniques. Whereby,
for probability sampling techniques, it employed systematic random sampling following the random routes
selection where all adolescent girls and parents had equal chances to be selected.
2.2 Data sources, data collection methods
Quantitative interviews
Quantitative interviews were conducted using a structured/survey tool with the project primary
beneficiaries: adolescent girls aged 15-19 years and parents who had adolescent girls aged below 19
years living in their households. The tool captured the background characteristics of respondents and
included key questions focusing on safe spaces, leadership, SRHR including: menstruation and teenage
pregnancy, contraceptives and utilization of SRHR and GBV services.
Qualitative interviews
The AGPP team conducted FGDs in the different communities and clusters within the countries. The
Focus Group Discussions were purposively conducted targeting both adolescent girls aged 15-19 years
and parents / community members based on their level of knowledge on the subject matter and to bring
more meaning to the quantitative data collected.
2.3 Data processing and analysis
Quantitative data analysis
The data collected from adolescent girls at household level and parents/ community members was
analysed through both SPSS and Excel computer programs after a thorough data cleaning process had
been completed. SPSS was used to manage the quantitative data given its automated consistency
checks that foster increased data quality prior to data analysis.
Outputs were generated through descriptive statistics particularly frequencies, cross tabulations, and
presented in form of tables and graphs.
Qualitative data analysis
The data collected from the respondents was systematically analysed through use of themes and content.
Additionally, it involved classification of themes and content with the utilization of the NVivo statistical
package.
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CHAPTER 3: STUDY FINDINGS
Summary of key findings

• There were more adolescents aged between 15-19 years (67%) who participated in the
study.
• About 7 in every 10 parents (66%) interacted with during the study were above 34 years
and 5% were young parents aged between 18-24 years.
• All the in-school adolescents (99%) were never married compared to 80% among the out
of school. Majority of the married adolescents (96%) first got married between 15-19 years.
• Majority of the adolescents had attained primary level of education with 35% among the in-
school compared to 37% among the out of school.
• Up to 9% of the adolescents had ever given birth with 94% having given birth between the
age of 15-19 years.
3.0 Background characteristics of adolescent girls and parents/caretakers

This subsection presents different parameters including; age, sex, marital status, education level, age at
first marriage and age at first birth of both the adolescents and parents.
Figure 1: Distribution of Adolescents by age
Adolescents age group
33% 25% 31% 40%
67% 75% 69% 60%
Overall (1039) Luwero (302) Lyantonde (293) Central region (444)
15-17 18-19
There were more adolescents in the ages of 15-17 years (67%) compared to (33%) who were aged 18
to 19 years. This age group (15-17) dominated across all the three clusters of Luwero, Lyantonde and
central Uganda (Kampala and Wakiso). The high dominance is associated with the fact that these
adolescents make up the biggest targeted population by the programme within the different clusters.
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Figure 2: Adolescents’ schooling status
Adolescents schooling status

77%
55% 54% 54%

45% 46% 46%
23%
Out of school In-school Out of school In-school Out of school In-school Out of school In-school
Overall (1039) Central region (444) Luwero (302) Lyantonde (293)
Majority of the adolescent girls were in-school with 55% and 45% were out of school. Luwero had the
highest proportion of in-school adolescents (77%) while Lyantonde and Central region (Kampala and
Wakiso) had the majority out of school adolescents with 54%. In relation to the in-school adolescent girls,
the majority 35% were in primary / grade 5-7/8, followed by 33% that were in senior/Form 1-4 (O ’level).
On the other hand, majority of the out of school adolescent girls had attained primary 5-7/8 with 37%
followed by (31%) who had attained senior/form 1-4 (O-level) of education while 8% had never gone to
school / had not attained any level of education. There is need to use different communication platforms
like radios and translation of the different SRH&R and SGBV messages to the local languages to cater
for these groups of people who never attended school.
Notably, there were low proportions of adolescent girls who had attained vocational and college training
which is a possible indication of low incomes on the side of the parents given the fact that most of these
institutions are private unlike the primary and secondary schools of which some are attributed to the
Universal Primary and Secondary Education program by the Ugandan government where parents can
ably take their children to school with ease.
Figure 3: Education level of Adolescents
Education level
35% 37%
33% 31%
19%
14%
8% 6%
3% 3% 4% 3% 1% 1% 1%
Secondary 9 -12
Primary 1-4
Primary 5-7/8
Others
Senior/Form 1-4 (O
Primary/Grade 1-4
Never went to school
College
Primary/Grade 5-7/8
Senior 5-6 (A Level)
Secondary 9-12
Senior/form 1-4 (O
Vocational
College
Vocational
Level)
Level)
In-school (697) Out of school (302)
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Figure 4: Adolescents marital status, age at first marriage and age at first birth
Adolescents marital status and age at first marriage
Adolescents age at first marriage

(10-14: 4%, 15-19: 96%)
Out of school In-school
Never married 99%

(572)
Married/cohabiting/living together 1%
Separated/Divorced 3%
(467)
Never married 80%

Married/cohabiting/living together 17%
Results revealed high proportions (99%) of in-school adolescents as single/ had never been married
across the clusters. There were high proportions of out of school adolescent girls (80%) who had never
been married, followed by 17% that were married while 3% had been divorced/ separated from their
partners. Furthermore, minimal numbers (9%) of adolescent girls had given birth with 6% at the age of
10-14 and 94% between the ages of 15-19 years. Results further presented high proportions of
adolescents who first got married between 15-19 years with 96% and 4% between 10-14 years of age.
Figure 5: Distribution of parents by sex and age
Sex and age of parents
78% 81%
75%
67%
34%
22% 25%
19%
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

Central region Luwero Lyantonde Overall
Majority of the parents who participated in the study were females accounting for (75%) across the three
clusters. Also, 66% of the parents interacted with during the study were above 34 years followed by the
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17% aged between 30-34 and 25-29 age group (12%). Notably, there were also young parents interfaced
with during the study with 5% as aged between 18-24 years.
3.1 Safe spaces
This subsection presents information on knowledge on safe spaces, places where the adolescents meet,
safety while in the places and the activities adolescents conduct while at the spaces.
Summary of key findings:

• There were low knowledge levels (30%) among adolescents regarding the existence of safe
spaces with Lyantonde at 49% while 20% was for Central region (Kampala and Wakiso).
• In every 10 adolescent girls who knew about the existence of safe spaces, 7 of them (71%)
belonged to a safe space with 31% meeting at school and 16% meeting from home.
• An overwhelming majority of adolescents (above 90%) who belonged to a safe space
identified safe spaces as “safe” with Lyantonde as the highest (94%) while Luwero and
Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had 92%.
• Sex education was identified as the main activity (34%) carried out by adolescents while at
the safe spaces.
• Up to 34% of adolescents attributed their involvement in making SRH&R decisions to
participation in the safe spaces with the majority from Central region (Kampala and Wakiso)
at 49% compared to Lyantonde with 21%.
Figure 6: Knowledge on safe spaces
Knowledge on adolescents safe places
49%
30%
25%
20%
Central region Luwero (76/302) Lyantonde Overall

(88/444) (143/293) (307/1039)
There were generally low knowledge levels (30%) among adolescent girls regarding the places where
they meet during their free time. This spread across both the in school and out of school adolescents with
33% and 26% respectively. Across all the clusters, there was less than 50% knowledge levels of
adolescent girls with knowledge regarding existence of safe spaces with the highest being Lyantonde at
49% and 20% for centra region (Wakiso and Kampala).
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Figure 7: Adolescents belonging to safe spaces
Membership to safe spaces

In-school: 72% Out of school: 69%
78%
71%
69% 69%
Central region (61/88) Luwero (59/76) Lyantonde (98/143) Overall (218/307)
Results revealed high proportions (71%) of adolescent girls who knew about safe spaces that identified
themselves to belong to a safe space. There were more in-school adolescents who belonged to a safe
space with 72% and 69% for the out of school adolescents. Luwero cluster had the highest proportions
(78%) of adolescents belonging to a safe space followed by 69% from Central region (Kampala and
Wakiso) and Lyantonde clusters respectively. Regarding the meeting places for the adolescent girls
during their free time, the majority 31% met at school, followed by 16% who met at home while very
minimal proportions of adolescents met at trading centres and homes with 2% and 1% respectively.
Figure 8: Places where girls meet during their free time
Adolescents meeting places

Water collection point 14%
Trading center 2%
School 31%
Religious center 11%
Play ground 8%
Partner center 1%
Others 3%
Other NGO center 7%
Home 16%
Bush 8%
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Figure 9: Feedback on Safety of the safe spaces
Safety while at the safe places
94%
93%
92%
92%
Study results revealed high proportions of adolescent girls (93%) who recognized safe spaces as secure
for them to meet. These high proportions spread across the in-school and out of school adolescents
respectively. Furthermore, all clusters had their performance above ninety with Lyantonde having the
highest at 94% followed by 92% for Luwero and Central Uganda respectively.
Figure 10: SRH&R decisions made by adolescent girls as an attribution to participation in the
safe spaces
SRH&R decisions made by girls as an

attribution to participation in safe spaces
Overall (74/218) 34%
Lyantonde (21/98) 21%
Luwero (23/59) 39%
Central region (30/61) 49%
There were low proportions of adolescent girls who attributed their SRH&R decisions to their participation
in the safe spaces in Uganda at 34% with relative low levels for both the in-school and out of school at
34% and 33% respectively. The highest proportions were evident from Central Uganda with 49% and
Luwero at 39% respectively who made their SRH&R choices as a result of participation in the safe
spaces.
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Figure 11: Activities conducted by adolescents in the safe spaces
Activities conducted in the safe spaces

54%
39%
34% 30%
25% 27% 26% 25% 28% 27% 25%
15%
9% 10% 8%
5% 3% 2% 3% 5%
reading
reading
reading
reading
sports
sports
sports
sports
others
others
sex_education
others
sex_education
sex_education
others
sex_education
peer_counselling
peer_counselling
peer_counselling
peer_counselling
Overall (218) Lyantonde (98) Central Uganda (61) Luwero (59)
Overall, majority of the adolescent girls participated in sex education while at the safe spaces with 34%
followed by 27% who participated in sports while 25% were for peer counselling. Key to note is the fact
that Lyantonde cluster had the majority of her adolescents (54%) participating in sex education followed
by sports at 30% and peer counselling became third with 28%. The majority adolescents from central
Uganda who belonged to a safe space carried out mainly sports with 30% while those from Luwero
conducted peer counselling with 39%. The AGPP should train more peer counsellors who will in turn
equip the adolescent with adequate knowledge relating to their sexuality thus enabling them to live a
healthy sexual life as they grow.
Leadership
This section covers the different perceptions of the adolescents concerning their leadership at school
and in the communities where they reside.

• Up to 17% adolescent girls confided in their friends for advice with more in-school (19%) and (13%)
for the out of school.
• Low confidence levels of (30%) were evidenced among adolescent girls who engaged with their
parents/caretakers with 32% among the in- school with Central region having the highest proportions
at 33% and 22% for Lyantonde.
• Limited proportions (23%) of adolescents were able to contribute ideas to discussions at home even
if their ideas were different from those tabled by the rest of the family with Central region
(Kampala and Wakiso) with 26% compared to Lyantonde with 17%.
• There were low proportions (34%) of adolescents whose family members encouraged to
express themselves. Among these, there were more in-school with 37% and 30% for the out
of school adolescents. Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the highest proportions
(38%) compared to Lyantonde with the least at 26%.
• Results revealed low proportions (31%) of adolescents who were able to live exemplary lives
among their peers with Luwero cluster having the highest proportion (36%) of adolescents
while Lyantonde had the least with 25%.
• About 3 in every 10 adolescents (27%) were able to speak what was on their mind and 19%
were able to encourage their peers to jointly work towards helping their communities.
• Up to 40% of the adolescents expressed interest in being leaders in their schools and
community at large with Lyantonde cluster having
18 the highest proportions of 43% compared
to Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with 35%.
Figure 12: Adolescents consulted by their friends for advice
Adolescents consulted by their friends for advice
21%
17%
15%
12%
There were generally low proportions (17%) of adolescents who were consulted by their friends for advice
of which 19% were among the in-school compared to 13% for the out of school. These low proportions
for the out of school adolescents point out to the limited knowledge possessed by the adolescents within
the communities thus doubt each other’s level of understanding. At cluster level, there were low levels of
consultations by adolescents from their peers (below 25%). Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had
the highest proportion with 21% followed by 15% for Luwero and lastly was Lyantonde cluster with 12%.
Figure 13: Adolescent engagements with parents
Adolescents expressing confidence in communicating

with parents
33% 32%
30%
22%
There were minimal confidence levels (30%) among adolescents in communicating with their parents.
These were very low among the out of school adolescents with 27% compared to the 32% for the in-
school. Among the clusters, Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had relatively higher levels (33%) of
confidence compared to Lyantonde with the least at 22%. The low confidence levels among the
adolescents elucidates why high proportions belong to the safe spaces an indication that they meet and
easily share with their peers the SRH&R aspects. Therefore, parents should continuously guide their
children so that they can ably disclose SRH&R issues that affect them in their life.
19
Figure 14: Adolescents contributing ideas to discussions at home
Adolescents contributing ideas to discussions at home
26%
23% 23%
17%
Results revealed minimal proportions (23%) of adolescents who were able to contribute ideas to
discussions at home even if their ideas were different from those tabled by the rest of the family members
with more in school adolescents (24%) participating compared to out of school adolescents (21%). These
proportions of adolescents contributing ideas to discussions at home can be a result of their membership
to the safe spaces given the fact that most of their confidence is built through interacting freely with their
age mates as they meet. Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had relatively high proportions of
adolescents (26%) who contributed to ideas at home followed by Luwero with 23% and lastly was
Lyantonde with 17%. These low outcomes could be attributed to the poor parenting experiences that the
adolescents face at the mercy of their caregivers.
Figure 15: Adolescent girls encouraged by their family to express themselves
Adolescents encouraged to express themselves
38% 36% 34%

26%
There were low levels (34%) of adolescents whose family members encouraged to express themselves
of which more were in-school with 37% compared to the 30% out of school. Central region (Kampala and
Wakiso) had the highest proportions (38%) of adolescents closely followed by Luwero with 36% and lastly
was Lyantonde with 26%. These low levels of encouragement from the parents to their daughters are a
leading factor for their fear to express themselves openly in the public spheres since this problem stems
from the homes where they come from.
20
Figure 16: Adolescent role model experiences
Adolescent role models
36%
31% 31%
25%
There were generally low proportions (31%) of adolescents who were able to live exemplary lives among
their peers with more in-school girls with (34%) compared to 26% for the out of school. Luwero cluster
had the highest proportion of adolescents at 36% while Lyantonde had the least with 25%. There is need
for the AGPP to develop multiple life skills among adolescent girls who could then form up the role model
structure for the programme within their different clusters.
Figure 17: Adolescents with adequate self-esteem to speak their mind
Adolescents who speak what is on their mind
Overall (281/1039) 27%
Luwero (82/302) 27%

Central region
(131/444)
30%
Results revealed limited proportions (27%) of adolescents who were able to speak what was on their
mind even when people did not understand them. Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) dominated with
30% while Lyantonde had the least at 23%. These results depict the low self-esteem levels among the
adolescents thus calling upon the programme implementors to come up with different models of
sensitising communities about the importance of the safe spaces as a way of improving adolescents
confidence levels and thus express themselves in the society where they belong.
21
Figure 18: Adolescents combining efforts to support community
Adolescents encouraging peers to join hands

together & help their community
24% 22%
19%
8%
Overall (197/1039) Central region Luwero (66/302) Lyantonde

(107/444) (24/293)
Study findings revealed 2 in every 10 (19%) adolescents as being able to encourage their peers to jointly
work towards helping their communities with more in-school adolescents (23%) compared to out of school
(14%). Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had a slightly higher proportion with 24% closely followed
by 22% and Lyantonde had the least with 8%. There is need for the programme to explore attractive
community level activities for adolescents as these will promote delivery of integrated SRH&R and GBV
services.
Figure 19: Adolescents interested in leadership
Adolescents interested in leadership

Out of school 31%, In-school 46%
42% 43% 40%

35%

(157/444) (127/302) (127/293) (411/1039)
Overall, 4 in very 10 (40%) adolescents expressed interest in being leaders in their school and community
at large. Lyantonde and Luwero had high proportions (43% and 42%) of adolescents interested in
leadership while Central region had the least proportions with 35%. There is need to create awareness
among the adolescents about the importance of participating in leadership thus increase on their
participation levels in their communities and country at large.
22
3.2 Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRH&R)
This subsection covers SRH knowledge, perceptions and behaviours of the adolescents. The different
aspects covered are spread across decision-making processes in regards to SRH&R of the girl child
including age at first marriage, when to give birth to children, knowledge on SRH&R by the adolescents
including family planning, pregnancy and menstruation.
• Up to 82% adolescents suggested that the right age for a girl to get married is twenty years and
above and 60% of the parents affirmed that the girl herself decides when to get married. Central
region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the highest proportions (90%) of her adolescents while
Lyantonde had the least with 64%.
• Majority of adolescent girls made SRH&R decisions that affect her life and all the parents agreed
that the girl herself made the SRH&R decisions that affect her life.
• There were 51% of adolescents with knowledge on family planning services, with 58% out of
school and 46% in-school. Lyantonde cluster had the highest proportion (63%) followed by
Luwero with 60% and lastly was Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with 37%.
• Up to 67% adolescents identified family planning services as accessible with 49% accessing
these services from public hospitals and 46% of the in-school adolescents accessed the padding
materials from their parents.
• Findings revealed about 2 in every 10 (19%) adolescents had shared SRH information with their
parents and more proportions of in-school at 21% and 17% for the out of school adolescents.
• Moderate levels of ignorance (42%) were observed among adolescents who had no idea that
girls having sex for the first time are at risk of getting pregnant with Central region leading at 44%.
• High proportions of adolescents were unaware that a girl at puberty can get pregnant before she
starts to see her menstruation with 78%. These high proportions spread across both in-school
and out of school youths with 79% and 78% respectively.
• There were low proportions (38%) of parents who faced difficulties while discussing sex related
topics with their daughters with more males at 66% compared to the 22% of the female parents.
• High proportions (65%) of parents discussed puberty and growth with their daughters.
Additionally, 37% of the parents discussed contraception topics with their daughters while (69%)
of the parents discussed menstrual hygiene with their daughters with female parents dominating
the discussions with 83%.
23
Figure 20: Opinions on the right age at marriage
Opinions on the right age at marriage
90% 88% 82%

64%
36%
12% 18%
10%
15-19 years 20 & above 15-19 years 20 & above 15-19 years 20 & above 15-19 years 20 & above
years years years years
There were high proportions (82%) of adolescent girls who suggested that the right age for a girl to get
married is twenty years and above with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) having the highest
proportions (90%) of her adolescents while Lyantonde had the least with 64%. Additionally, Lyantonde
cluster had high proportions (36%) of adolescent girls who believed that 15-19 years was the right age
for a girl to get married.
Figure 21: Adolescent girls’ opinion regarding the SRH&R decision makers in the community
Key decision makers regarding adolescent girls' SRH&R

53%
37% 36% 38% 36%
30% 29% 30% 23%
19% 20% 16%
7% 10% 4% 6%
1% 2% 2%
others
others
others
others
her_father
her_father
her_father
mother
partner
her_mother
herself
her_brothers
her_mother
herself
her_mother
herself
herself
her_brothers
father
Decision maker regarding When/at what age a girl Whether or not a girl Whether or not a girl should
whether a girl should get should get married should engage in use family planning methods
married or not income generation
activities
The results above show the different individuals involved in decision making regarding adolescents’
SRH&R within the clusters in Uganda. Most of the adolescents affirmed that the girl herself was
responsible for making the different SRH&R decisions spread across the use of family planning with 53%,
engagement in income generating activities with 36% and 37% mentioned fathers as decision makers
regarding whether a girl should get married and the age she should get married at with 38%. The high
proportions of adolescent girls who agreed that the girl herself makes the SRH&R decisions can be
attributed to the women emancipation and empowerment in the country at large.
Findings from parents revealed that all the parents affirmed that the girl herself made SRH&R decisions
that affect her life. This ranged from age when a girl can get married with 55%, whether a girl should get
married at 60%, whether /not a girl should use family planning at 66% and when a girl should give birth
24
to children at 76%. These opinions are not any different from that of the adolescents thus highlighting
the women empowerment levels in the communities.
Figure 22: Parents opinion regarding the SRH&R decision makers in the community
Key decision makers regarding girls' SRH&R

76%
66%
60%
55%
22% 24%
19% 14%
14% 10% 10% 10%
5% 5% 8%
1%
Herself
Herself
Herself
Herself
Others
Others
Others
Others
Mother
Mother
Mother
Father
Father
Father
Father
Mother
When/at what age a girl Who makes the decision on Whether or not a girl When/at what age a girl
should get married whether a girl should get should use family planning should give birth to
married or not methods children
Figure 23: Adolescents who made decisions on when to get married
Adolescents girls who made decisions on when to get married

Overall (377/1039) 36%
Luwero (136/302) 45%
25
Findings revealed (36%) of adolescent girls made decisions regarding when to get married. Among the
out of school, up to 38% were knowledgeable that the girl had a choice to decide when to get married
compared to their in-school counterparts who had 35%. The Luwero cluster had the highest proportions
with 45% while Lyantonde had the least proportions with 23% adolescent girls that were able to make
decisions regarding when to get married.
Figure 24: Knowledge on family planning services
Knowledge on family planning services
60% 63%
51%
37%
Results revealed moderate proportions (51%) of adolescents with knowledge on family planning services.
These knowledge levels were more among the out of school adolescents with 58% compared to the 46%
for the in-school adolescents. Lyantonde cluster had the highest proportion (63%) of adolescents who
were knowledgeable followed by Luwero with 60% and lastly was Central region (Kampala and Wakiso)
with the least proportions at 37%. Furthermore, high family planning knowledge levels (89%) were
exhibited among the marrieds closely followed by the divorced at 80% and lastly were the single at 47%.
26
Figure 25: Access to family planning services among the adolescents
Adolescents accessing family planning services
82%
59% 67%
58%
Central region Luwero (105/181) Lyantonde Overall (354/532)

(97/165) (152/186)
Overall, 67% of the adolescents identified family planning services as accessible in their communities
with (75%) out of school and 58% among the in-school adolescents. The Lyantonde cluster had the
highest proportion with 82% while Luwero had the least with 58%. Most of the adolescents accessed the
family planning services from public hospitals with 49% followed by 29% who accessed the services from
private facilities. The high family planning access levels from the public facilities could be due to the free
family planning services given from these service delivery points.
Figure 26: Knowledge on any sexual act as a risk exposure to pregnancy
Adoscents who were not knowledgeable that, ''Having sex only
once can lead to pregnancy''
41% 39% 38%

33%

(263/444) (180/293)
There were low ignorance levels (38%) among the adolescents without any idea that having sex only
once can result into pregnancy. These low proportions spread across both in-school and out of school
adolescents with 41% and 35% respectively. Also, central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the highest
proportion (41%) of her adolescents ignorant that having sex only once can lead to pregnancy while
Luwero had the lowest proportions of her adolescents at 33%. There is need for the parents, community
members and teachers at school to sensitise the adolescents on the dangers of engaging in sexual
activities since any sexual encounter becomes a predisposing factor for pregnancy.
27
Figure 27: Adolescents without knowledge that girls having sex for the first time are at risk of
getting pregnant
Adolescents who failed to affirm that, ''girls having sex for the first time
are at risk of getting pregnant''
Overall (435/1039) 42%
Lyantonde (121/293) 41%
Luwero (119/302) 39%
Findings revealed high proportions (42%) of the adolescents had no idea that girls having sex for the first
time are at risk of getting pregnant with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) leading with 44% followed
by Lyantonde cluster at 41% and lastly Luwero cluster with 39%. The proportions for those in-school
without the right knowledge were slightly higher at 43% compared to those in-school with 40%. From the
above results, the AGPP has a great role to play in stepping up the sexual and reproductive health
education across both in-school and out of school adolescent girls within the clusters across the country.
Figure 28: Adolescent girls without knowledge that a girl at puberty can get pregnant before
starting menstruation
Adolescent girls without knowledgeable that a girl at puberty can get

pregnant before she starts to see her menstruation
86%
77% 78%
73%

(342/444) (252/293)
There were high proportions (78%) of adolescents unaware that a girl at puberty can get pregnant before
she starts her menstruation. These high proportions spread across both in-school and out of school
youths with 79% and 78% respectively. Highest proportions of those without knowledge were evidenced
in Lyantonde with 86% while the Luwero cluster had the least at 73%. These high proportions spread
across board and can be attributed to the limited discussions between parents and their children on
sexual and reproductive health aspects.
28
Figure 29: Adolescents without knowledge that having sex during menstruation can result
into pregnancy
Adolescents unaware that having sex during menstruation can result into
pregnancy
75%
58% 64%
52%

(335/444) (174/302) (153/293) (662/1039)
High ignorance levels (64%) were evidenced among adolescents who were unaware that when a girl
engages in sex during her menstruation is at risk of getting pregnant. These high ignorance levels were
also experienced across the clusters with central region (Kampala and Wakiso) having the highest
proportions at 75% while Lyantonde had the least at 52%. Additionally, there were equal proportions for
both the in-school and out of school with 62% adolescent girls had who were unaware that sex during
menstruation can result into pregnancy. The high ignorance knowledge levels could be as a result of
limited time spent by the parents talking to their daughters about their SRH&R aspects.
Figure 30: Parents who face difficulty in discussing sex related topics with their daughters
Parents that face difficulty while discussing sex related topics with their
daughters
Female 29% , Male 66%
44%
39% 38%
32%
There were low proportions (38%) of parents who faced difficulties while discussing sex related topics
with their daughters. The male parents faced much difficulty while discussing sex related topics with their
daughters at 66% compared to the 22% of the female parents. Lyantonde cluster had the leading
proportions (44%) of parents who faced difficulties discussing with their daughters about sex related
topics while Luwero had the least with 32%. The high proportions of men facing difficulty could be
29
associated with the limited time spent by the male parents at home since most of their time is spent
outside the home in a bid to search for a living for their families.
Figure 31: Adolescents who shared SRH information with their parents
Adolescent girls that shared SRH information with their parents
Overall (200/1039) 19%
Luwero (67/302) 22%
Findings revealed about 2 in every 10 (19%) adolescents had shared SRH information with their parents
and more proportions of in-school at 21% while the 17% was for the out of school. Cluster wise, Luwero
had the highest proportions (22%) of her adolescents sharing SRH information with their parents whilst
Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the least with 17%. The low proportions in the central region
(Kampala and Wakiso) could be as associated with the limited time the adolescents spend with their
parents at home due to the busy nature of parents who leave home early and return late in the evening
in a bid to economically sustain their families.
Figure 32: Parents who discuss relationships with their daughters
Parents who discuss relationships with their daughters
76%
68% 66%
54%

(156/228) (159/209) (108/200) (423/637)
More than half (66%) of the parents were able to discuss topics on relationships with their daughters
including issues to do with the same sex, opposite sex and family and community. Notably, female
parents took lead in the discussions with 76% compared to 38% among male parents. In addition, Luwero
had the highest proportion (76%) of her parents discussing relationships with their daughters while
Lyantonde had the least proportions with 54%.
30
Figure 33: Parent who discuss contraception topics with their daughters
Parents that discuss contraception topics with their daughters

45%
36% 37%
31%

(71/228) (71/200)
Results revealed low proportions (37%) of parents who discussed contraception topics with their
daughters. The female parents had a relatively higher proportion of 44% compared to their male
counterparts who had 17%. Cluster wise, Luwero had the highest proportion (45%) of her parents
discussing contraception topics with their daughters followed by Lyantonde with 36% and the least was
Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with 31%. The low results are a pointer to the shyness exhibited
by parents while discussing crucial SRH information with their daughters.
Figure 34: Parents who discuss puberty & growth with their daughters
Parents that discuss puberty & growth with

their daughters
68% 75%
65%
53%
CENTRAL REGION LUWERO (156/209) LYANTONDE (105/200) OVERALL (416/637)

(155/228)
Findings established high proportions (65%) of parents who freely discussed puberty and growth with
their daughters. Additionally, more females (76%) discussed puberty and growth with their daughters
while only 33% among the men held these same discussions. Luwero cluster had the highest proportion
(75%) of her parents who discussed puberty and growth with their daughters while Lyantonde had the
least with 53%. The less proportions of the male parents signals to the limited male involvement in the
lives of their daughters as they grow.
31
Figure 35: Parents who discuss menstrual hygiene with their daughters
Parents that discuss menstrual hygiene with their daughters

73%
69% 69%
66%
Overall, 69% of the parents affirmed that they discussed menstrual hygiene with their daughters. Highest
proportions of parents were females at 83% and the males had only 27%. The Luwero cluster had the
highest proportions (73%) of her parents who discussed menstrual hygiene with their daughters while the
central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had minimal proportions of 66%.
In relation to access of padding materials, results revealed highest proportions (46%) of adolescent girls
who accessed padding materials from their parents with followed by 37% of those who accessed the
padding materials on their own with 37%. Minimal proportions were able to access the padding materials
from their friends. The highest proportions of those who accessed the padding materials from the parents
shows the trust that adolescents have in their parents regarding their menstrual health.
Figure 36: Forum for access of padding materials by adolescents
Areas where adolescents normally access the the padding materials from
46%
37%
12%
2% 3%
Friends Myself NGO parents Others
3.3 Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV)

This sub section presents sexual and gender-based violence experienced by the adolescents in the
region ranging from sexual intercourse against the will of adolescents, those who have ever been touched
inappropriately, perpetrators of the SGBV and the people who are trusted with information by the
adolescents in case of any SGBV.
32
• Results revealed that about 1 in every 10 adolescents had ever had sexual intercourse
against their will with 13% and many of them were out of school adolescents at 22%.
Lyantonde cluster had the highest proportions with 19% while Luwero had the least
with 9%.
• The majority 22% of the out of school adolescents had ever had sexual inter course
against their will and 6% who were in-school.
• Boy friends were reported as the leading perpetrators at 30% and neighbours followed
with 28% responsible for sexual intercourse with adolescent girls against their will.
• There were (30%) of adolescent girls who acknowledged that they would trust the
police with GBV related information followed by 27% who mentioned that they would
trust their mothers with the information.
Figure 37: Adolescent girls who have ever had sexual intercourse against their will
Adolescent girls who have ever had sexual intercourse against their will
Overall (139/1039) 13%
Luwero (28/302) 9%
Central region… 12%
Results revealed that 1 in every 10 (13%) adolescents had sexual intercourse against their will with the
majority 22% being out of school adolescents and 6% for the in-school. Furthermore, Lyantonde clustered
had the highest proportions (19%) of adolescents who had ever had sex intercourse against their will
while Luwero had the least proportions with 9%. With respect to the perpetrators for sexual advance
against the adolescents’ own will, majority (30%) had been sexually harassed by their boyfriends and the
28% who had been sexually harassed by their neighbours at 28%.
33
Figure 38: Individuals who were entrusted with GBV related information by adolescents
People adolescents trust with information related to GBV
No one 2%
Don't know 1%
Teachers 6%
Relatives 8%
Police 30%
Mother only 27%
Friend 2%
Father only 4%
Community leaders 13%
Both mother and father 7%
Highest proportions (30%) of adolescents acknowledged that they would trust the police with GBV
information and closely followed by 27% who would trust their mothers with GBV related information. The
high proportions of adolescents who would trust the police with information reveals the trust they have in
community leadership and the strength in the leadership structures in the communities.
3.4 Life skills

This sub section covers adolescent girls’ self-esteem in all aspects of their life, their livelihood priorities,
people they trust with their livelihood priorities and their engagement in income generating activities.

• Up to 35% of adolescents felt satisfied with themselves with 40% for the in-school
adolescents with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with the highest with 45%
while Lyantonde had 16%.
• Results revealed low proportions of adolescents with 19% who were confidently
discussing SRH issues with their parents with 21% in-school and majority 93%
discussed with their mothers. The majority (22%) were from Luwero while the least
were from Central (Kampala and Wakiso) with 17%.
• High proportions (80%) of parents discussed future career with their daughters at
with the majority (83%) being male parents carried out these discussions at 83%.
Lyantonde had the highest proportion with 87% while Central (Kampala and
Wakiso) had the least with 72%.
• Up to 56% of the adolescents discussed their livelihood priorities with more of the
out of school adolescents with 60%.
• Low proportions of adolescents confirmed that a girl made her own decisions
regarding involvement in an income generating activity at 36%.
• Study findings revealed low proportions of adolescents who possessed adequate
skills to engage in income generating activities of their choice with 33% and an
overall of 38% needed skills to successfully manage their businesses.
34
Figure 39: Adolescent girls who feel satisfied with themselves
Adolescent girls who felt satisfied with themselves
45%
39%
35%
16%
Results revealed low proportions (35%) of adolescents who felt satisfied with themselves. There were
higher proportions (40%) of the in-school adolescent girls compared to the 29% among the Out of school.
Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the highest proportions (45%) of her adolescents who felt
satisfied with themselves while Lyantonde had the least proportions with 16%. The general low
proportions across the country and the clusters as well reveal low confidence levels among the
adolescents. Therefore, the AGPP should work closely with community structures to sensitise
adolescents on the importance of having self-esteem.
Figure 40: Adolescent girls confidently discussing SRH issues with their parents
Adolescent girls that feel confident to discuss
SRH issues with their parents
22%
19% 19%
17%
Results revealed that about 2 in every 10 (19%) adolescents felt confident while discussing SRH issues
with their parents. The confidence levels were higher (21%) among the in-school adolescents than the
out of school with 17%. The Luwero cluster had moderately higher proportions (22%) of her adolescents
having confidence while central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had least confidence levels with 17%.
Additionally, up to 93% of the adolescents felt confident while discussing SRH&R issues with their
mothers. This illustrates the closeness the adolescent girls have with their mothers as they grow.
35
Figure 41: Parents discussing future career with their daughters
Parents that discuss with the daughters

about future career
87% 82% 80%

72%

(164/228) (181/209) (163/200) (508/637)
There was an overall of 80% parents who discussed with their daughters about their future career
whereby males dominated by 83% and 79% for the female parents. Within the clusters, Luwero had the
highest proportions of her parents discussing future career with their daughters at 87% closely followed
by Lyantonde with 82%. The high proportions in Uganda as a whole reveal the value that parents attach
to future career of children and thus strive hard as a way of making them mature into better and
responsible citizens in the society.
Figure 42: Discussion on livelihood priorities
Adolescent girls that discuss with parents

about their livelihood priorities
60%
56% 55%
53%
Overall (577/1039) Central region Luwero (181/302) Lyantonde

(234/444) (162/293)
Results revealed moderate proportions (56%) of adolescents who discussed their livelihood priorities with
their parents. Among these, out of school adolescents emerged with higher proportions at 60% whilst the
in-school had up to 52%. The adolescents from the Luwero cluster ably discussed with their parents
about their livelihood priorities with 60%, followed by those from Lyantonde at 55% and the least where
from the central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with 53%.
36
Figure 43: Decision makers regarding girls’ engagement in income generation activities
Decision makers girls' engagement in income generation activities

50%
44%
40%
36% 35%
29% 30% 28% 28% 30%
16% 15%
4% 3% 4% 5%
1%
others
others
others
others
her_brothers
her_father
her_father
her_father
her_father
herself
herself
herself
herself
her_mother
her_mother
her_mother
her_mother
Overall (1039) Central region (444) Luwero (302) Lyantonde (293)
There were low proportions (36%) of adolescents who confirmed that the girl herself was responsible for
making decisions regarding when to engage in income generating activities. These were followed by
those who believed that it was the mother responsible for making the decision with 30%. Additionally,
the Luwero cluster had the highest proportions (50%) of her adolescents followed by Central region
(Kampala and Wakiso) with 40% affirming that the girl herself made the decision to engage in an income
generating activity while in Lyantonde, the majority (44%) affirmed that the father made the decision
regarding the adolescents’ engagement in an income generating activity.
Figure 44: Adolescents possessing adequate skills to engage in income generating activities
Adolescents with adequate skills to engage in income

generation activities
35% 36%
33%
28%
Study findings revealed low proportions (33%) of adolescents who possessed adequate skills to engage
in income generating activities of their choice. There were moderate proportions of both the in-school and
out of school who possessed the adequate skills to engage in an income generating activity with 34%
and 32% respectively. Lyantonde and Luwero clusters had close proportions of adolescents with
adequate skills to engage in income generating activities at 36% and 35% respectively. The limited skills
could be associated with the limited hands-on training received by the adolescents given the fact these
37
institutions are quite expensive in terms of school fees and yet many of the parents may not be financially
stable to take their children to such institutions in a bid to acquire skills.
Table 1: Skills needed by adolescent girls to successfully set up and manage their own Income
generation activity
Skills needed Number %
Agriculture 6 2%
Art and craft 28 7%
Beauty and fashion 109 27%
Catering 43 11%
Financial literacy 40 10%
Making liquid soap 3 1%
Rearing domestic animals 3 1%
Tailoring 92 23%
Others 72 18%
Total (1039) 397 38%
Overall, there were low proportions (38%) of adolescents who needed skills to successfully manage their
own income generating activities. Majority of these adolescents needed skills for beauty and fashion with
27% closely followed by those who needed skills for tailoring with 23%. The least proportions of
adolescents needed skills for liquid soap making and skills to rear domestic animals at 1% respectively.
38
CHAPTER FOUR: CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
4.0 Conclusions & Recommendations.

Safe spaces
• Low proportions of adolescents confirmed that they were able to make SRH&R decisions as an
attribution to their participation in the safe spaces with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso)
having higher proportions compared to Lyantonde with the least proportions. There is need for
the AGPP to sensitize parents inform them about the importance of the safe spaces in line with
the adolescents SRH&R decisions. This will in turn make more parents allow their adolescent
girls to actively participate in the safe spaces within their communities.
• There were limited knowledge levels regarding the existence of safe spaces across both in-
school and out of school adolescents with Lyantonde having the highest knowledge levels while
Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had the least levels. The AGP programme should scale
up awareness campaigns on the existence and importance of safe spaces among the out of
school adolescents that had the least knowledge levels. This can be through use of different
multi-media platforms including radios and community megaphones due to the current Covid-19
situation.
• Among the adolescent girls that belonged to the safe spaces, very few of them discussed their
issues from the safe spaces. Therefore, the programme should place more emphasis on
developing strategies that activate meetings and activities of adolescents who belong to these
safe spaces.
• Sex education was identified as the main activity carried out by adolescents at the safe spaces.
The AGPP should evaluate the effectiveness of peer counsellors within each cluster and take
advantage of this structure to equip and or integrate this category of people with additional
knowledge, skills and tools that will enable the adolescent girl child to make informed decisions
regarding their sex life to live a fulfilled reproductive life.
• There were high levels of acknowledgement for safety of the safe spaces majority
acknowledged that there was safety at the safe spaces with Lyantonde having the highest
proportions while Luwero and Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) had low proportions.
Therefore, school and community structures should be strengthened to provide a safe meeting
environment for the adolescents as they meet during their free time.
Leadership
• Low levels of SRH&R and GBV disclosure were evidenced among the adolescents to their peers
for advice with limited differences between in-school and out of school adolescents. The AGPP
should focus on building sustainable community voice and action related platforms that will work
with families and duty bearers to enable adolescents actively take part in raising concerns and
issues about access to SRH&R and GBV related information in their communities.
• Low confidence levels were evidenced among adolescent girls who engaged with their
parents/caretakers. There is need for the AGPP to engage parents in the SRH&R aspects of
their daughters to ease communication between the parents and their daughters.
• There were low levels of involvement of adolescents towards contributing ideas for discussions
at home with out of school adolescents more affected. There is need for the AGPP to develop
parent and child communication strategies that will improve interpersonal communications
across both parents and adolescents.
39
• There were minimal proportions of adolescents encouraged by their families to express
themselves openly with Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) having the highest proportions
compared to Lyantonde. The programme should adequately talk to the parents and encourage
them to continuously encourage their daughters and applaud them for their good deeds in case
of any. This will promote and accelerate the delivery of integrated SRH&R and GBV
programmes in the community.
• Low proportions of adolescents expressed interest in being leaders in their school and
community at large. Lyantonde cluster having the highest proportions compared to Central
region (Kampala and Wakiso) with the lowest. The AGPP should work closely with community
role models including members of parliament, motivational speakers as well as successful
personalities in society to enlighten the young people about the importance of engaging I
leadership within their society.
Sexual Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR)

• Majority of the adolescent girls suggested that the right age for a girl to get married was above
the age of 18 years. This points out to their understanding of the Ugandan laws of which a girl
married before the age of 18 is underage thus leading to child marriages which are punishable
by the Ugandan law enforcing bodies. These awareness levels depict the knowledge
possessed by the adolescents on the laws governing their country. Therefore, the AGPP
should work closely with the government structures to ensure that the offenders for early
marriages in the communities are punished.
• The adolescent girl herself made SRH&R decisions that affect her life, ranging from: the use
of family planning methods and engaging in income generating activities. This illustrates the
improved empowerment levels that the girls have in the communities. Therefore, the
programme should continue advocating for the empowerment of adolescent girls in the
communities where they belong. This will help in reducing the several injustices in society like
forcefully marrying off a girl against her will for they will be able to make their own decisions
that affect their lives in society.
• All the parents agreed that the girl herself made the SRH&R decisions that affect her life
ranging from use of family planning methods, when to get married, spouse to marry and when
to give birth to children. This shows a paradigm shift from the traditional ways an attribution
to women empowerment in society. To sustain these decisions, parents should continue
advising their daughters to be confident and as well stand by their side as they make their
SRH decisions.
• There were average knowledge levels on family planning services in the community majority
of them being out of school. The Lyantonde cluster had the highest knowledge levels
compared to Central region (Kampala and Wakiso) with the least. Despite this gap, family
planning services were fairly accessible in the country with public facilities as major service
providers. The AGPP should strengthen community distribution of family planning methods
through using of the community structures like the Village Health Teams as appropriate in this
Covid-19 era.
• Low proportions of parents faced difficulties while discussing sex related topics with their
daughters with more males having a challenge discussing these topics. There is need to
involve male parents through conducting parenting sessions with them to equip them with
40
skills on how to discuss SRH&R freely with their daughters on key SRH&R issues including
sexuality.
• There were relatively high proportions of parents who discussed contraception and menstrual
hygiene related topics with their daughters whereby the female parents took lead. There is
need to sensitize the male parents about the importance of talking with their daughters in
aspects relating to their SRH&R. This will help strengthen the bond between the daughters
and their fathers thereby approaching them in case of any SRH&R challenge.
Sexual & Gender Based Violence (SGBV)

• Results revealed low proportions of adolescent girls who had ever had sexual intercourse
against their will with the Lyantonde cluster having the most affected adolescents. The AGPP
should work closely with the law enforcing bodies like the police and courts of law and ensure
that the SGBV offenders are punished. This will help cab down and totally eliminate the SGBV
acts in the society especially within the Lyantonde cluster.
• The out of school adolescents were the most affected by the forceful sexual intercourse from
the perpetrators. There is need to encourage the caretakers to freely interact with their
children during their free time regarding the aspects of SGBV and the dangers associated
with it. This will create a free environment between the parents and their daughters whereby
in case of any SGBV occurrence, it is easy for them to report to their parents and further to
the higher community law enforcing institutions thus enforcing law and order.
• Majority of adolescents consented that they would trust the police with the SGBV information
in case of any occurrence. These high proportions reveal the faith the adolescents have in
this community structure. Therefore, there is need to adequately employ more police officers
at the police gender desk office to ensure that that the SGBV victims are immediately attended
to as they approach the police offices.
• Boyfriends were reported as the leading perpetrators of the forceful sexual intercourse with
the adolescent girls in the community. Reporting structures for SGBV should be clearly
marked and strict measures put in place to ensure that as SGBV occurs to the girls in the
communities and schools, they have liberty to freely report to the existing structures like
hospitals, police and courts of law to get justice that they deserve.
Life Skills
• There were low confidence levels identified among adolescents who discussed SRH issues
with their parents of which majority discussed with their mothers. Luwero had the highest
proportions while the least were from Central (Kampala and Wakiso). There is need for AGPP
to strengthen further engagements of parents and guardians specifically the fathers of
adolescents to effectively parent and make discussions with their children relating to
reproductive health choices and building their confidence.
• Low proportions of adolescents agreed that the girl herself made a decision to engage in an
income generating activity. There is need to train the girls and provide them with start-up
capital as a way of empowering them to make better decisions to engage in income generating
activities of their choices.
• Very low proportions of adolescent girls were identified with adequate skills to engage in an
income generating activity of their choice. There is need to introduce vocational training
institutions that will charge subsidized fees to the students in society. These will help to
41
increase the adolescents enrolled in such institutions and thus obtain the required hands-on
skills which skills will later be used to start up future income generating activities.
• There were low proportions of adolescents that needed skills to successfully manage their
own income generating activities majority of which needed skills for tailoring, beauty and
fashion. Community structures should be strengthened through setting up well equipped
vocational and technical institutions with qualified teachers to equip the adolescents with
appropriate skills to successfully manage their own income generating activities.
• High proportions of parents discussed with their daughters regarding their future career with
the dominance of males with Lyantonde having the highest proportions while Central
(Kampala and Wakiso) had the least proportions. There is need for the AGPP to introduce
various platforms aimed at creating awareness among the female parents reminding them of
about their importance in the lives of their children as they grow.
42
APPENDIX.
AGPP M&E CRVPF AGPP AGPP - Parents and

Framework Final.xlsx Communitiy members . QUESTIONNAIRE.docx
_ADOLESCENT GIRLS QUESTIONNAIRE.docx
43

CRVPF AGPP Baseline Study Report For Uganda Power Analysis

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CHILDREN’S RIGHTS AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION FUND (CRVPF)

CHAPTER 1: BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY ........................................................................................ 10

Figure 1: Distribution of Adolescents by age ...................................................................................... 12

Background: Clusters information

Conclusions and Recommendations

1.0 About cluster partners of CRVPF

1.2 Goals and Objectives of the Evaluation

1.3 Scope of the Baseline Evaluation

2.0 Baseline evaluation design

Summary of key findings

3.0 Background characteristics of adolescent girls and parents/caretakers

Figure 1: Distribution of Adolescents by age

Adolescents age group

33% 25% 31% 40%

67% 75% 69% 60%

Overall (1039) Luwero (302) Lyantonde (293) Central region (444)

Adolescents schooling status

55% 54% 54%

Never went to school

Senior 5-6 (A Level)

In-school (697) Out of school (302)

Adolescents marital status and age at first marriage

Adolescents age at first marriage

Never married 99%

Never married 80%

Sex and age of parents

Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male

Summary of key findings:

Figure 6: Knowledge on safe spaces

Knowledge on adolescents safe places

Central region Luwero (76/302) Lyantonde Overall

Membership to safe spaces

Central region (61/88) Luwero (59/76) Lyantonde (98/143) Overall (218/307)

Adolescents meeting places

Safety while at the safe places

Central region (57/62) Luwero (54/59) Lyantonde (93/99) Overall (204/220)

SRH&R decisions made by girls as an

Overall (74/218) 34%

Lyantonde (21/98) 21%

Luwero (23/59) 39%

Central region (30/61) 49%

Activities conducted in the safe spaces

Summary of key findings:

Adolescents consulted by their friends for advice

Central region (93/444) Luwero (45/302) Lyantonde (35/293) Overall (173/1039)

Adolescents expressing confidence in communicating

Central region (147/444) Luwero (96/302) Lyantonde (65/293) Overall (308/1039)

Adolescents contributing ideas to discussions at home

Central region (117/444) Luwero (70/302) Lyantonde (50/293) Overall (237/1039)

Adolescents encouraged to express themselves

38% 36% 34%

Central region (169/444) Luwero (108/302) Lyantonde (76/293) Overall (353/1039)

Adolescent role models

Central region (138/444) Luwero (108/302) Lyantonde (72/293) Overall (318/1039)

Adolescents who speak what is on their mind

Overall (281/1039) 27%

Lyantonde (68/293) 23%

Luwero (82/302) 27%

Adolescents encouraging peers to join hands

Overall (197/1039) Central region Luwero (66/302) Lyantonde

Figure 19: Adolescents interested in leadership

Adolescents interested in leadership

42% 43% 40%