Local activism is a strategy used by Joy for Children to end violence against children. Community members are reached with information on violence against children (VAC) prevention and response. Activities such as community dialogues, focus group discussions, poster talks, advocacy and review meetings have been held with different groups of people in the community including boda boda (motorcylists) riders.
For over six years, Joy for Children Uganda has engaged schools and communities in child protection and specific feedback from Kabarole reveals that boda boda riders are among the list of the perpetrators that also includes parents, teachers and other community members of different forms of violence against children.
Focus Group Discussions held with the boda boda riders at their stages clearly set a vivid picture of how they are contributing to VAC as part of the community. They mentioned vices such as child neglect due to domestic violence, child marriages, multiple sexual partners, ignorance about family planning leading to high numbers of unplanned children and matchmaking young girls to older men.
With this understanding, we embarked on a strategy of male involvement to change society narrative about boda boda riders but also engage the existing leadership committees in action plan meetings with the aim of fueling the campaign “a safe environment, everywhere, for all children, by everyone”
At least 500 Boda boda riders in Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts have been reached both at their stages and during advocacy meetings to further strengthen their role as key stakeholders in VAC prevention and response. This movement was supported by local leaders of Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts emphasizing the fact that the nature of work of boda boda riders enables them to reach even hard to reach places.
Our engagements have over time created all round impact in different community groups including boda boda stages, homes, schools and communities at large. The men in action have called upon fellow riders to put an end to VAC by conducting weekly meetings to identify causes of VAC and tackle them independently.
Such discussions have seen the birth and strengthening of savings and loans groups to advocate for increased financial stability and empowerment. In addition, stage rules and regulations have been strengthened especially that prohibiting use of drugs during work hours. On another note, the men have organized and conducted parental sensitization meetings in schools to address issues like the dangers of parents supporting child marriages and high school drop outs especially for girls.
Also on a subjective level, the men have taken in the issue of gender sensitivity and this has created amicable discusions and in turn reduced domestic violence at home which is one of the sure targets to curb the high rates of child neglect.
During one of the review meetings, a participate reminisced about the importance of this noble cause, he further commended Joy for Children Uganda for the work well done, “… am now 35 years old and it is my first time to be involved in a noble cause, am glad there are efforts put in place to involve us in preventing and responding to VAC, we are changing the image of boda boda riders and indeed we shall get there…”
In conclusion, despite the different norms and gender stereotypes surrounding male engagement, men are human and are deeply concerned about social issues and only need a platform to activate and transform their passion to support a social development cause. It is our role as stakeholders engaged in child protection to specifically identify strategies on how we might involve men.
