Implementation of Anyaka Makwiri: A Multicomponent Mentoring Program for Adolescent Girls and Young Women in Uganda

Authors

  • Kate F. Plourde Research Utilization: Global Health, Population, and Nutrition, FHI 360
  • Geeta Nanda Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health: Global Health, Population, and Nutrition, FHI 360
  • Elise Healy Research Utilization: Global Health, Population, and Nutrition, FHI 360
  • Dennis Kibwola FHI 360 Uganda
  • Phoebe Mutonyi Anyaka Makwiri and The Aids Support Organization (TASO) Gulu
  • Michael Ochwo The Aids Support Organization (TASO) Gulu
  • Francis Okello Varimetrics Group Limited
  • Joy Cunningham Research Utilization: Global Health, Population, and Nutrition, FHI 360

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jyd.2021.1003

Keywords:

adolescent girls, young women, HIV, reproductive health, mentoring, asset-building

Abstract

This article describes the development and implementation of the Anyaka Makwiri program and summarizes results from the qualitative assessment of participant experiences. Anyaka Makwiri is a multicomponent mentoring program developed for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) ages 15 to 24 in Gulu, Uganda. The comprehensive program consisted of a curriculum covering sexual and reproductive health (SRH), financial capabilities, soft skills, and gender-based violence and gender equality; activities designed to improve participants’ social connectedness; optional onsite testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and pregnancy along with STI treatment; group-based savings; and links to SRH services, including contraceptive and gender-based violence services. The program was implemented over a 6-month period and reached 490 AGYW. Findings are derived from routine program-monitoring data including administrative records, de-identified service statistics, and baseline surveys. In addition, this article summarizes some of the key findings from qualitative interviews with both mentors and AGYW participants, conducted at the conclusion of the program.  Participants generally had a favorable view of the mentoring program, particularly in terms of the curriculum topics they were exposed to, and mentors were also positive about their experiences. Despite the program’s many successes there were some implementation challenges, the most prominent being intermittent participant attendance due to a variety of difficulties. The lessons learned from the implementation of Anyaka Makwiri provide valuable insights for the design and implementation of multicomponent mentoring programs for AGYW.

Author Biography

Kate F. Plourde, Research Utilization: Global Health, Population, and Nutrition, FHI 360

Kate F. Plourde, MPH, DrPHc

Technical Advisor, Research Utilization, GHPN—Global Health, Population, and Nutrition, FHI 360

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Published

2021-07-14

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 2-3 (2021): Special Issue on International Positive Youth Development

Section

Special Issue Articles

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