Family Medical Point's Musawo sessions transforming Uganda’s Fishing Communities

The dangers of unsafe abortions are an escalating health crisis in Uganda’s fishing communities.
Along the shores of Lake Victoria, in places like Guuda, Kasenyi, Nakiwogo, and Kigungu, women are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to safe reproductive health services.
These areas, geographically isolated and economically marginalized, often lack essential healthcare infrastructure, forcing women to resort to unsafe methods.
The consequences are devastating, with many suffering from severe complications, infections, or even death.
According to the Ministry of Health, unsafe abortions contribute to 26% of maternal deaths in Uganda, a stark indicator of the unmet health needs in these communities.
In Kigungu, Family Medical Point (FMP) is working to address these challenges through its innovative Musawo sessions.
These monthly health education gatherings provide a safe space for women, girls, and sex workers to discuss their sexual and reproductive health challenges.
The sessions empower participants with knowledge, offer emotional support, and connect them to essential health services.
Polyne Nabwire, Head of Programs at FMP, explains, “The Musawo sessions are not just about providing information; they are about creating a support system for women who are often left to fend for themselves in dire circumstances.”
For many participants, these sessions are life-changing.
“This is the only place where I feel heard,” shared a young woman who regularly attends the sessions.
“We can talk openly about our struggles without fear of judgment. I’ve learned so much about protecting myself and seeking help when I need it.”
Statistics paint a grim picture of the reality facing these women.
The Guttmacher Institute reports that nearly 314,000 unsafe abortions occur annually in Uganda, with marginalized communities like those in fishing areas bearing the brunt.
Among sex workers, who form a significant portion of the population in fishing communities, the risks are amplified.
A 2021 Uganda Fisheries and Aquaculture Report estimates that 20,000 sex workers operate within these areas, often without access to adequate healthcare or support services.
One sex worker in Kigungu shared her harrowing experience.
“When I became pregnant, I didn’t know where to turn.
The health center didn’t have the services I needed, and I was afraid of being judged. I ended up using herbs that almost killed me.
It’s a miracle I survived.” Her story is not unique, as stigma and limited resources leave many women in similarly precarious situations.
The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (2016) further highlights the challenge, noting that 28% of pregnancies in Uganda are unintended, with higher rates in underserved areas like fishing communities.
These unintended pregnancies often lead to unsafe abortion practices, perpetuating cycles of vulnerability and poor health outcomes.
Addressing this crisis requires immediate and sustained action.
Governments and stakeholders must invest in improving healthcare infrastructure in fishing communities, equipping facilities to provide comprehensive reproductive health services, including post-abortion care.
Training healthcare workers to offer compassionate, stigma-free care is essential.
Additionally, community-based initiatives like the Musawo sessions must be scaled up to educate and empower women to make informed choices about their reproductive health.
For the women and girls in Kigungu and similar communities, the fight for access to safe reproductive health services is not just a health issue, it is a matter of survival.
By prioritizing their needs and breaking down barriers, Uganda can pave the way for a future where no woman has to risk her life for lack of healthcare.