We provide comprehensive sexuality education to empower informed choices. We offer comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). We empower women and girls with scientifically accurate information, skills and values to make informed decisions about their bodies, relationships and health. We cover topics like puberty, contraception, STI prevention, consent and gender equality, aiming to reduce unintended pregnancies, HIV/STIs, and gender-based violence. The key aspects of SRHR Education are;
info@herico.org | +256 768-723-257
Opening Hours: Mon to Fri - 9am - 5pm
Welcome to HERICO Website
HERICO is coalition of women and women’s groups and organizations working to promote Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Uganda. At HERICO, we believe that human rights apply to sexuality and reproduction, encompassing the right to access safe contraception, maternal healthcare, STI prevention and safe abortion services. We work to empower women and girls to make decisions about their bodies, ensuring health, gender equality and dignity.
HERICO Vision
A just and peaceful society with women able make decisions about their own bodies, accessing quality contraception, maternal care, HIV treatment and safe abortion services.
HERICO Mission
To promote and protect Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and eliminate gender-based violence, stigma and harmful practices like child marriage, female genital mutilation through education, advocacy and health system strengthening.
HERICO Objectives
1. Access to Services - Providing contraception, fertility care and maternal/newborn health services.
2. Safe Abortion Care - Promoting access to safe and legal abortion services.
3. HIV/STI Prevention & Treatment - Integrating HIV prevention, testing and treatment into sexual health services.
4. Ending Violence and Harmful Practices - Protecting women from sexual and gender-based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and early/forced marriage.
5. Comprehensive Sexuality Education - Delivering evidence-based, age-appropriate sexuality education to young women.
6. Advocacy & Human Rights - Defending the right to bodily autonomy and advocating for policy change
HERICO Principles
a). Life Course Approach - Our services address changing needs from adolescence through adulthood to older age.
b). Integration - SRH services should not be in isolation but integrated with primary health care (PHC) and HIV services.
c). Rights-Based - We focus on women’s rights, bodily integrity and autonomy.
d). Inclusivity - Our services are accessible to all, including adolescents, persons with disabilities and LBTQ+ women.
e). Emergency Response - In crises, the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) is the starting point, transitioning to full services as soon as possible.
What We Do
- Goal - CSE is a curriculum-based process that provides age-appropriate, evidence-based information to help young women realize their health, dignity and rights.
- Core Topics - The key components include human development, reproductive health, relationships, sexual behavior, sexual health and rights.
- Empowerment & Autonomy - CSE builds self-esteem and agency, enabling young women to make safe, voluntary decisions about their sexual lives.
- Preventative Focus - Education aims to reduce Teenage Pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and school dropouts among young girls
We work to protect women from gender-based violence, forced marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are fundamental human rights, acting as a crucial foundation for gender equality, bodily autonomy and health equity. It encompasses the right of all women to make decisions regarding their own bodies, sexuality and reproduction, free from discrimination, coercion and violence.
Safety and Security in SRHR
- Bodily Integrity – Safety means having the right to control one’s own body and to access services that support that right.
- Ending Gender-Based Violence (GBV) – A core component of SRHR is eliminating violence, including intimate partner violence, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation (FGM), and forced, early child marriage.
- Safe Abortion Care – Access to safe, legal abortion is a critical component of safety. Lack of access to these services can cause serious physical and psychological harm.
- Emergency Settings – In conflict and crisis settings, the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for SRHR must be implemented to ensure safety and prevent illness.
- Safe Spaces – Creating "safe access zones" around clinics is critical to protect women from harassment and stigmatization.
We support women to enjoy the right to make decisions about their own life, health and bodies without discrimination or coercion. HERICO empowers women and girls to make free, informed decisions about their own bodies, health and sexuality without coercion, violence or discrimination. These interconnected rights are fundamental to human dignity, gender equality and sustainable development, encompassing access to contraception, safe abortion and comprehensive education.
Key Aspects of our work on Bodily Autonomy and SRHR
- Bodily autonomy is the right to control one’s own body—what to wear, who to love, and whether to reproduce.
- Core SRHR Components - These include access to sexual and reproductive health services, safe abortion, consent and comprehensive sexuality education.s
- Women’s rights - SRHR is recognized as a human right. It emphasizes freedom from violence and discrimination, particularly for women and girls
- Core Principles - The realization of these rights requires that women can decide if, when, and how to have children and to live free from harmful practices.
Access to safe abortion, contraception maternal care and prevention/treatment of STIs (including HIV). We offer comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) services. Our services are a set of interconnected interventions designed to ensure women can make informed choices about their bodies, relationships and health without discrimination, coercion, or violence. These services are integral to universal health coverage (UHC), targeting physical, mental and social well-being of women. Our services include;
- Family Planning/Contraception - We provide information, counseling and access to a full range of modern methods including emergency contraception.
- Maternal and Newborn Health - We provide quality antenatal care, safe delivery (skilled birth attendance) and postnatal care for mother and baby.
- Comprehensive Abortion Care - We offer safe abortion services to the full extent of the law and post-abortion care.
- STI and HIV Prevention/Treatment-We conduct screening, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV.
- Reproductive Cancer Services - Prevention, screening and management of reproductive system cancers, particularly cervical cancer.
Our Result Areas
Health Outcomes
Improves maternal and newborn survival rates and prevents unintended pregnancies and other related consequences.
Economic Empowerment
We support women and girls to stay in school, pursue employment and participate in public life.
Women’s rights
We work to achieve gender equality and fulfilling fundamental rights to equality and privacy
Our Testimonials
Mugarura James
HERICO's advocacy efforts have changed the way our community views women's rights. I'm proud to be part of a movement that's promoting gender equality and bodily autonomy
Ainembabazi Precious
HERICO's family planning services have been a game-changer. I can now plan my family and pursue my education without worrying about unplanned pregnancies
Sumayiyah Hafisa
I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, but HERICO's reproductive cancer services saved my life. Their care and support were incredible, and I'm now cancer-free
Mugarura James
HERICO's advocacy efforts have changed the way our community views women's rights. I'm proud to be part of a movement that's promoting gender equality and bodily autonomy
Ainembabazi Precious
HERICO's family planning services have been a game-changer. I can now plan my family and pursue my education without worrying about unplanned pregnancies
Sumayiyah Hafisa
I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, but HERICO's reproductive cancer services saved my life. Their care and support were incredible, and I'm now cancer-free
Mugarura James
HERICO's advocacy efforts have changed the way our community views women's rights. I'm proud to be part of a movement that's promoting gender equality and bodily autonomy
Ainembabazi Precious
HERICO's family planning services have been a game-changer. I can now plan my family and pursue my education without worrying about unplanned pregnancies
Sumayiyah Hafisa
I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, but HERICO's reproductive cancer services saved my life. Their care and support were incredible, and I'm now cancer-free