Strengthening Health Systems to Protect Women and Girls.

Wednesday, 4 March, 2026

At Isinde Health Centre III in Namayingo District, the maternity ward is alive, and so is hope. Through the Heroes for Gender Transformative Action Program, Amref Health Africa in Uganda, in partnership with MIFUMI and Cordaid, is strengthening public health systems across nine high-burden districts: Kween, Bukwo, Namayingo, Mayuge, Iganga, Mbale, Budaka, Kalangala, and Bugiri.

The goal is clear: ensure that every woman and girl can access quality Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services and that women and girls are protected from Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV).

Over the past five years, Heroes has strengthened 65 health facilities, with more than 54 facilities supported through Results-Based Financing (RBF) mechanisms. RBF links performance incentives to measurable improvements in service quality, including timely SGBV case management, increased family planning uptake, accurate reporting, and client confidentiality standards. As a result:

SRHR services have been delivered, including family planning, HIV testing, antenatal care, and post-violence treatment.
SGBV cases have been reported and supported through strengthened referral pathways. Other cases have been successfully resolved through coordinated health, legal, and psychosocial systems.
Women and girls have been directly protected through integrated prevention and response interventions.

Health workers have been trained in survivor-centered care, confidentiality, and clinical management of rape, while Village Health Teams (VHTs) have been equipped to identify and refer cases at community level.

Beyond facilities, Heroes invests in prevention through school health outreach. Trained health workers conduct sessions on menstrual health, early pregnancy prevention, HIV awareness, and reporting of violence. These initiatives ensure adolescents understand their rights and know where to seek help. Over 1,200 community champions and VHTs have been trained to strengthen local accountability and safe reporting.

Health systems strengthening means that survivors no longer navigate fragmented services. Care is integrated, responsive, and sustainable within district health structures.

As the world marks International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “Give to Gain” Heroes demonstrates that social justice is gained through strong public systems, empowered health workers, and accountable service delivery.

Photo credits: E-Pictures Media

By Communications at Amref Uganda