Straight Talk Foundation

• Social and behaviour change communication: This forms the core of STF work and is mainly achieved through its communication programmes in mass media (print and radio), social media and interpersonal communication. STF efforts in this area include interface with key actors at the district level to address sexual and reproductive health at the community level. Social and behaviour change communication is further used to serve young people through the implementation of a focused strategy entailing the production of tailored messages, delivered using a variety of communication channels to promote positive behaviour appropriate to individual, community, and/society settings. In its work, STF utilises communication approaches and tools to increase knowledge, stimulate dialogue, and empower people to promote and manage their own health. The use of mass media is critical in providing a platform for young people to voice their thoughts and opinions regarding important decisions impacting their lives. Further to this, the organisation explores information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) and other strategies in the implementation of programmes designed for adolescents and youth in school and out of school.
• Direct youth friendly service delivery: STF programmes seek to create demand for and provide direct delivery of services at the grassroots level, making deliberate efforts to reach very vulnerable categories of young people who either face barriers to accessing services or are underserved - for example, very young adolescents (especially girls) and persons with disability - by working with actors such as teachers and influential community leaders as important stakeholders. Working directly through its structures such as youth centres and collaborating with local government and like-minded civil society organisations (CSOs), STF has introduced various services, including HIV counselling and testing, cervical cancer screening, contraceptive services, treatment of minor ailments, condom distribution, HIV prevention sessions, and edutainment activities, among others. In order to increase demand for and utilisation of ASRH services, STF implements approaches that deliver services to hard-to-reach adolescents, such as work with adolescents as champions/advocates in close collaboration with actors and other service providers.
• Empowerment of young people: In Uganda, young people have been identified as a critical force in the development of the country. In some STF programmes, activities are implemented to empower young people to take an active lead in the health programmes that concern them. Examples include their participation in initiatives to promote leadership and self-esteem. Such STF programmes have provided youth with material and technical support for them to engage in socially aware projects and activities to promote the good of their communities.

• Better Life for Girls (BLFG): In July 2016, STF received a grant from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to implement this multi-sectoral initiative, which works to strengthen the national capacity to deliver improved SRH outcomes and socio-economic empowerment for girls in 14 districts in Uganda. BLFG uses a holistic and gender-focused approach to empower girls and builds on previous country efforts to prevent teenage pregnancy.
• Get Up Speak Out (GUSO): Funded by the Dutch Foreign Affairs Ministry and launched in July 2016, this 5-year programme adopts a multi-component approach towards addressing SRH, linking the provision of youth-friendly sexuality education with SRH services, through building community awareness, acceptance, and support for SRH with greater synergy and collaboration amongst 8 SRH Alliance partners working in Eastern Uganda.
• Closing The Gap (CTG) - This is a health system strengthening project supported by Planned Parenthood Global of America (PPGA) and implemented by STF in the districts of Gulu and Kitgum. It aims at the promotion of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) and family planning services, as well and increasing information on post-abortion care among communities. STF collaborates with 18 health facilities, with an emphasis put on improving the quality of service delivery through the mentorship and coaching of service providers, supportive supervision, and provision of equipment.
• Embassy of Ireland Bursary Program - Implemented by STF in collaboration with central and local government and CSOs, this is an initiative funded by Irish Aid to support improved access and retention in post-primary education in Karamoja.
• MenEngage Uganda - This is a network of CBOs and groups, not-for-profit organisations, other NGOs, research and learning institutions, and individuals working with men and boys to promote gender equality in Uganda. The Uganda network is a subsidiary of MenEngage Africa that is part the MenEngage Global Network. In 2016, STF was selected by the Sonke Gender Justice to serve as the secretariat for the MenEngage network in Uganda. As secretariat, the role of STF is to coordinate the efforts of 27 member organisations in implementing the activities of MenEngage Uganda funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency - Sida. Key focus areas include engaging men and boys to stop HIV/AIDS, end female genital mutilation (FGM), reduce GBV, and end child marriage.
• Learn more about current STF projects by visiting:
  • STF website;
  • STF's Facebook page; and
  • STF on Twitter.

Youth, Family Planning, Health, HIV/AIDS.