Articles

Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU) played a pivotal role in influencing the World Bank’s decision to strengthen child safeguarding mechanisms in response to issues arising from the Uganda Transport Sector Development Project (TSDP).In 2014, JFCU identified and raised serious human rights and social issu…

Period poverty continues to be a major issue for millions of girls, especially in rural areas, where access to menstrual hygiene products, clean water, and sanitation facilities is limited. In Uganda, many girls face this challenge, which prevents them from attending school during their menstrual cy…

Uganda is on the brink of a major health crisis following the withdrawal of USAID funding, a decision that has disrupted critical programs across the country. The immediate impact is being felt in health facilities like Komamboga Hospital, where thousands of people relying on lifesaving HIV treatmen…

JANUARY 28, 2025 The recent directive from the U.S. administration issued on January 24, 2025 has paused nearly all foreign aid including significant funding to Uganda. The withdrawal of funding from USAID-funded projects has far-reaching and multifaceted effects on local communities in Uganda…

The International Day of Education, celebrated every year on January 24th, was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2018. This day is dedicated to celebrating the role of education in fostering peace and development. It serves as a reminder of the vital importance of education in ach…

In Uganda, recent statistics indicate that the school dropout rate is notably high, particularlyamong girls. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) 2021 report, approximately 28% of girls in rural areas drop out of school, often due to factors such as poverty, early marriage, and limite…

November 20th marks World Children’s Day, a global moment to reflect on children’s rights, celebrate their potential, and commit to building a better world for the next generation. This year, under the theme “Listen to the Future”, we are reminded of the importance of hearing children’s voices and p…

In the heart of Mulago , lives Jaja Margret, a 68-year-old woman who runs a charcoal business on Happy Street. Despite her age, Jaja Margret is the primary caregiver for her ten grandchildren, a responsibility that weighs heavily on her shoulders. Her story is not just one of personal struggle, it r…

JFCU with support from CRVPF established safe spaces for out of school adolescents to hold weekly discussions facilitated by peer mentors using the life skills manual to build their esteem, help them make better choices, protect themselves against violence, promote behavior change through addressin…

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 t…

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 wit…

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…

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 …

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 …

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. Additiona…

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…

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…

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 D…

In today’s rapidly evolving world, education stands as the cornerstone of a prosperous future. It’s not merely about gaining knowledge, it’s about equipping our children with the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges, contribute to society, and fulfill their potential.…

At Joy for Children Uganda, our mission is to create an inclusive world where every child, regardless of their abilities, has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. Your unwavering support has been instrumental in driving this vision forward, and today, we invite you to join us in…

In recent years, the world has witnessed the devastating effects of climate change, leaving no corner untouched. However, amidst the rising temperatures and extreme weather events, it’s often the most vulnerable who bear the worst of these changes our children.…

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in rural Uganda remains a pressing issue, affecting theeducation and well-being of countless young girls. The lack of access to sanitary products, proper facilities, and comprehensive education perpetuates stigma and hinders girls academicpotential.In Uganda, its e…

As the world celebrates International Women’s Day, the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” rings louder than ever before. This year’s theme highlights the urgent need to prioritize investments in women and girls to drive meaningful progress towards gender equality and sustainable developmen…

Child forced marriages remain a significant challenge in Uganda, with many girls being forced into marriage before the age of 18.Statistics from the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) of 2016 indicates that the prevalence of child marriage in Kiruhura district is 34 percent, which was high…

Child marriage is a pervasive issue in many parts of the world, with a multitude of contributing factors, one of which is toxic masculinity. To combat this harmful practice, it is essential to promote positive masculinity among men, encouraging them to be respectful, responsible, and empathetic.…

Violence against children is a pervasive and devastating problem in Uganda. It takes many forms, including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as neglect and exploitation. These forms of violence have long-lasting and detrimental effects on children, impacting their physical and mental he…

Child marriage is a global issue that affects millions of young girls every year. In Uganda, child marriage is a prevalent problem, with 34% of girls getting married before the age of 18. This practice not only robs these young girls of their childhood but also limits their opportunities for educati…

Child marriage is a harmful practice that violates the rights of children, particularly girls. It robs them of their childhood, education, and opportunities, and exposes them to increased risks of violence, abuse, and exploitation. While child marriage is an issue that predominantly affects girls, t…

The 7th Regional PSS Forum, under the theme “Mental Health in Context” took place at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Johannesburg from the 4th to 5th of October 2023. It was organized jointly with REPSSI, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, UNICEF ESARO, University of Pretoria and Africa Populati…

Child sexual abuse refers to the involvement of a child (person less than 18 years old) in sexual activity. Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a violation of the fundamental rights of a child and is deeply rooted in harmful gender norms. It is exacerbated by poverty, insecurity, displacement, drug abuse, c…

Violence is defined under article 19 of the Convention on the Rights of Children to mean all forms of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or neglect treatment, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse. Violence against children physical, psyclogical and mental violence…

Families therefore serve an important mechanism for organizing social relationships by conferring certain rights and privileges and imposing duties. It organizes caregiving plus economic and other welfare to its members. It also provides refuge and a source of protection from conflict. Whereas famil…

Education is widely considered to be one of the most important factors in delaying the age of marriage for girls. In developing countries evidence shows that the more education a girl receive, the less likely she is to be marriage before the age of 18 and more likely she is to delay pregnancy and c…

Activists have been primarily focusing on the devastating impact of child marriage on girls and girl’s education but in this case boys are also being affected. According to Girls not Brides , 34% of girls in Uganda are married before their 18th birthday and a 7% are married before the age of 15. 6%…

Around 1 in 3 girls and women experience physical and sexual violence in their lifetime. Child marriage is a manifestation of this violence, putting girls and women at a high risk of sexual, physical and psychological violence and related outcomes like poor health, depression throughout their lives.…

The media is a powerful tool that plays a critical role in driving state accountability; exposing impunity and advocating for change.…

Civil Society serves as a pillar of democratic systems, playing an important role in democracy and good governance for pre-and post-conflict societies. CSOs play a critical role in developing, monitoring human rights situations, implementing strategies that promote peace and security, monitoring imp…

The prevalence, complexity and the social acceptance of Gender Based Violence (GBV) have generated the recognition that the prevention and response to GBV requires broad community participation and particularly the participation of men and boys.…

Ending Child Marriage could save Uganda billions of dollars; it could lead to welfare benefits for the country for about $2.4 billion by 2030. By contrast, ending the practice will have a multiplier effect for Uganda since it has the highest rates of child marriage in sub- Saharan Africa.…

In 2013, Ministers of Health and Education of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) endorsed the Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) Inter-Ministerial Commitment, which ended in 2020. The Commitment largely aimed at preventing child marriage, Sexual and Gen…

Access to quality education gives girls choices and opportunities in life, allowing them to play an active role in their communities and break the cycle of poverty. Girls who are married are unlikely to be in school. Education, including comprehensive sexuality education, is essential for girls to b…

Women girls are disadvantaged when it comes to digital adoption, have lower levels of access to and use of digital technology than boys and men, and often are not benefitting from digital technology in the same way as boys, there is also a large gender gap in the number of women and men employed in…

Every child deserves to grow up free from harm. Yet Gender-Based Violence continues, effectively ending their childhoods and risking their futures. Gender-based violence occurs in every part of the country and across all economic and social groups. Sadly, one in three women and girls will experienc…

The devastating and compounded impacts of COVID-19, Climate change, Conflict, have created a triple threat for women and children, pushing them further to the margins of society and exposing them to physical and psychological harm.…

While a home and family can be the primary setting where violence against children occurs, they can also be the most important sources of protection from violence, and of care and support when violence has occurred.…

Every child is at risk of Child Sexual Abuse but children with special needs are more vulnerable. Girls with special needs, in particular, are often at greater risk, both within and outside the home, of violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation.…

Access to quality education has long been recognized as both a fundamental human right and as essential for reducing poverty, inequality and achieving other development goals…

Parliamentarians are uniquely positioned to shape, advance and exercise a leadership role in establishing and implementing a robust legal and policy framework for preventing child sexual abuse and ensuring it is effectively enforced by relevant actors and institutions within their constituencies and…

Education plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. When girls are kept in school, they stand a better chance of growing into empowered women who transform their neighborhoods and nations. Education is one of the best ways to prevent child marriages and teenage pregnancy.…

Education plays a critical role in breaking the cycle of poverty and violence. When girls are kept in school, they stand a better chance of growing into empowered women who transform their neighborhoods and nations. Education is one of the best ways to prevent child marriages and teenage pregnancy…