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Volunteers for Development Assistance Uganda (VODA)

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VODA Uganda
Girls and women in rural Uganda face extreme gender inequality which is a cause and consequence of the high levels of sexual exploitation, incest and violence faced by many young girls and women. Young people have little access to sexual and reproductive health services and abortion is highly restricted. Under the most recent round of funding SAAF has supported the grassroots organization, VODA Uganda with their 'Strengthening Community Response against Unsafe Abortion' project to empower young people as change-makers in their schools and communities.

With training and support, peer educators have been educating friends about sexual and reproductive health and local health providers have been trained in providing safe services to women in need. Unsafe abortion was once a widespread problem in the area but through the power of peer education and by working with community leaders as well as youth, community attitudes toward abortion have been transformed. Deaths due to unsafe abortion have almost disappeared and community leaders and health providers are now calling for safe abortion to be made available for more young women in need.