Cultural context significantly influences the acceptance of violence against children in Uganda. Traditional beliefs often regard physical punishment as a legitimate form of discipline, deeply rooted in community norms that emphasize obedience and respect for authority figures, such as parents and teachers.
Joy For Children Uganda (JFCU) with support from Girls First Fund convened a stakeholder dialogue at Pacific Hotel, in Lira district, focusing on laying strategies to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Lango sub-region. The dialogue brought together a diverse group of participants, including cultural leaders, Lira District officials, representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs), and religious leaders, all united in their commitment to tackling this pressing issue.
Uganda is a country that is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The changing weather patterns are affecting agriculture, the main source of livelihood for many communities, leading to crop
failures and food shortages. This has forced families to resort to drastic measures to cope with the situation, including marrying off their young daughters in exchange for dowry payments.
Education is an important tool in empowering girls and young women. When they stay in school they gain knowledge, skills and confidence which can help them make informed decision about their lives. However, in Uganda specifically in rural areas, many girls drop out of school early because of poverty, long distances to school, inadequate facilities and cultural beliefs that prioritize boys’ education over girls
One of the main drivers of child marriage and teenage pregnancy in Uganda are the social, cultural norms and traditions as stated in the National Strategy to end child marriage and teenage pregnancies 2022/2023 – 2026/ 2027. It is a sad reality that in many communities a girl is seen as an economic asset and marrying her off early ensures that the family receives dowry which can be a source of income for most households.
In Uganda, like other East- African countries, Child marriage is one of the significant drivers of
adolescent pregnancy. 8.9 million Girls aged 10–19 are at risk of harmful practices, including
child marriage, teenage pregnancy and FGM, this represent nearly 27% of the country’s total population of 43.7 million; and in a country with the world’s lowest median age of 15 years.
Period poverty exacerbates the vulnerability of girls to child marriage. When girls do not have access to menstrual products, they are often forced to stay home from school during their periods. This leads to gaps in their education and limits their opportunities for economic independence. Additionally, the lack of proper sanitation facilities can lead to health issues and infections, further increasing their dependence on others for care and support.
The International Day of the African Child is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the rights and well-being of African children. One of the most pressing issues facing African children today is access to quality education. Despite progress in recent years, many children in Africa still do not have access to basic education, and those who do often receive a substandard education that does not adequately prepare them for the future.
In 2024, the theme for the DAC is ‘Education for all children in Africa: the time is now’.
On June 12th, Joy for Children-Uganda joins the global community in commemorating the World Day Against Child Labor under the theme “Let’s Act on Our Commitments: End Child Labor!” .World Day against Child Labor is an annual observance held on June 12 to highlight the plight of child laborers and to promote efforts to eliminate child labor. The day was first proclaimed by the International Labor Organization (ILO) in 2002.
As we celebrate the Menstrual Hygiene Day themed “Together for a period friendly world” on May 28th, Joy for Children Uganda takes immense pride in reflecting on the achievements and progress made in promoting menstrual health and hygiene across the country. Over the past decade, Menstrual Hygiene Day has grown into a powerful movement, shedding light on the
importance of menstrual health, breaking taboos, and empowering women and girls to manage their menstruation with dignity and confidence.
