Articles

Children posing for a picture with the Minister and the newly launched Ugandan ECCE policy in their hands…

“Don’t scare us with that word!” a young mother exclaimed, clutching her 10-month-old child a little tighter as she turned away from a health worker. The ‘word’ was HIV. She had come for an integrated community outreach in Kanyanya, organized by Joy for Children Uganda under the BLOOM project, in pa…

A Conversation on Rights, Access to Justice and Action for All Women and Girls in Uganda. Human rights are universal and protected under both international and national legal frameworks. Uganda is a signatory to key instruments such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Conventi…

Well, injustice dwells on the streets of Jinja city, in the huts of residents in Kabong, within fenced gates in Ntinda, inside high-rise towers within the city center and in the mundane conversations we have every day. International Women’s Day is here yet again, under the theme “Rights. Justice. …

The loud slaps and harsh blows ring loud inside Jacob’s (not real name) mind, they even follow him to his paper-thin bed on some nights. Tonight, his mother and father are having another altercation. The neighbors in the other makeshift houses are opening doors and standing out in groups discussing …

“The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls on the Frontlines of Crisis” In commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child 2025, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD), in collaboration with civil society organisations including Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU), Concer…

About one million and four hundred thousand people are currently living with HIV in Uganda. Of all new infections, 29 percent were among adolescent girls and young women despite this group only representing 10 percent of its population (Uganda Aids commission 2021). Young mothers living with HIV hav…

In Uganda’s slum communities, girls face a reality filled with daily struggles. Overcrowded homes, limited access to education, poverty, and unsafe public spaces make them particularly vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and early marriage. According to UNICEF, over 1 in 3 girls in Uganda experience …

In Uganda, menstruation remains one of the biggest barriers to education for adolescent girls. Many girls lack access to sanitary products, private facilities, and accurate information on menstrual health, forcing them to miss school during their periods. According to UNICEF, adolescent girls in Uga…

On August 11, 2025, Joy for Children Uganda (JFCU) hosted an X Space discussion on the Marriage Bill 2024. The conversation brought together Civil society advocates, Members of parliament, and international advocates to shed light on the bill’s significance, clarify common misconceptions, and explor…

When the rainy season arrives in the slums, it does not just bring water from the skies it brings fear, disruption, and heartbreak.For many families, the rain is a dreaded visitor. Without proper drainage systems, the water has nowhere to go. It collects in dirty pools along narrow walkways, overflo…

For the children at Joy for Children Uganda, holidays are more than just a break from school they’re a time to play, create, and simply be children. Thanks to the incredible generosity of supporters like you, this past holiday season was filled with laughter, games, dance, and storytelling, lighting…

In the heart of Kampala, just behind the busy streets and concrete towers, lies a hidden world, the slums of Bukoto. Here, childhood looks very different.For thousands of children, life in Bukoto’s informal settlements is a constant battle for survival. The streets are narrow and congested, homes ar…

Joy for Children Uganda has accelerated its efforts to protect children in schools from violence by conducting a series of trainings for educators on Violence against Children (VAC) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response. A total of 380  (141 female 236 males)  teachers drawn from 1…

Education should be every child’s right not just a distant hope. Yet, in Acutukum, a small rural village in Lira District, Northern Uganda, many girls are forced to leave school before they get a real chance to learn and grow.During a recent visit to this community, we found girls eager to learn but…

Each year on June 16, the African continent observes the Day of the African Child, a day set aside to honor the brave students of the 1976 Soweto Uprising who stood up against apartheid-era education in South Africa. Established in 1991 by the Organization of African Unity, the day now serves as a p…

In recent years, Uganda has experienced a significant surge in child labor, rising from 14% in 2016/17 to 39.5% equivalent to 6.2 million children in 2021 (UBOS, 2021). This figure excludes children involved in ousehold chores. This increase has occurred despite numerous policy interventions and the…

In many parts of Western Uganda, poor school infrastructure has emerged as a silent but powerful driver of student dropouts, particularly in underserved and refugee-hosting communities. Crumbling classrooms, overcrowded learning spaces, lack of clean water and sanitation, and long distances to the n…

In Uganda today, the vision of free and inclusive education remains a national aspiration. Since the introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) in 1997 and Universal Secondary Education (USE) in 2007, the government has made notable strides toward improving access to learning for all children…

Joy for Children Uganda, through the Uganda Secondary School Expansion Project (USEEP) , has been actively engaging communities in a series of media engagements aimed at promoting education and encouraging parents and guardians to prioritize sending their children to school. Recognizing that educati…

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…

Poverty is the primary reason children are sent to work. Sadly, child labor keeps children from getting the education they need to break the cycle of poverty. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), a U.N. agency, about 70% of child laborers globally work in agriculture. Others work…

According to World Vision International (WVI), in Uganda, insufficient Menstrual Hygiene Management in schools contributes to a drop out of up to 10 percent of girls at the primary level. The SNV/IRC study report (2012) on Menstrual Management in Uganda also shared the relationship between menstruat…

A right to education is a universal right that is applicable to all children everywhere including children with special needs. It is challenging for them to access education in Uganda. First and foremost, the negative attitude of communities is one of the barriers that affect children with disabilit…

According to UNICEF nearly 1 of 10 children in the world are subjected to child labor with some forced into hazardous work through trafficking, the child employment rate in rural areas is 34% while in urban areas it is 11% In Kampala, Uganda’s capital city.…

According to findings from the Uganda Violence against Children Survey conducted by Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development in 2018, children between 13-17 years, 93.7 % of girls and 89.3 percent of boys who experience physical violence do not seek services due to individual barriers.…

Uganda recorded a total of 290,219 teenage pregnancies from January to September 2021, translating to over 32,000 monthly (UNFPA UGANDA 2021) and this been highly attributed to the covid-19 induced lockdown where learners were out of school for close to 2 years. Many girls were sexually abused by th…

According to Section 2 of the Children’s (Amended) Act of Uganda, child marriage is referred to as any union whether formal or informal involving any person below the age of 18years for the purpose of living as husband and wife.…

The COVID-19 pandemic has persisted for almost a year and half and it’s negative impact has continued to affect vulnerable communities alike. As urban slum communities struggle with a shredded economy, loss of jobs and domestic violence among other challenges, lack of food remains one of the aggress…

Over time, Uganda has experienced climate emergency and unfavorable environmental conditions in the Ruwenzori region with Kasese district being most hit by floods. Flash floods are caused by a combination of natural and man-made factors such as earth quakes, volcanic eruptions, deforestation, minin…

A visit to one of the internally displaced camps in Kasese district, one is welcomed by smiling faces from innocent Children and teenagers mostly below 18 years of age. Hundreds of households were displaced by Floods after River Nyamwamba burst its banks in May 2020.…

We must ensure that girls are part of the digital transformation. Otherwise, they will continue to be left behind as a result of the digital divide which is the social inequality on the internet. At the moment, millions of illiterate girls who never enrolled in schools or dropped out of schools…

With funding from UNDP under the Spotlight initiative JFCU implemented a 09 months project that started in June 2020 to March 2020. JFCU worked to address violence against women and girls stemming from their mining related activities by using a social economic empowerment lens.…

On October 13th 2021, Members of the 10th Parliament of Uganda on the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children paid a courtesy visit to Joy for Children-Uganda to renew the working partnership with the forum in regards to the protection of Children’ rights…

Child marriage is a human rights violation; girls are at a higher risk compared to the boys. Girls who are married off at an early age are likely to drop out of school, become child mothers, endure complications from child birth, and often experience gender based violence.…

On the International day of the Girl child, October 11th 2021, Joy for Children-Uganda recognizes the rights of girls and the challenges they face every day.…

May 2020 will forever remain in the minds of the people of Kasese district in western Uganda The district was hit by disastrous floods that happened on the 7th of May and peaked on the morning of May 10th. Another disaster followed on May 21st in the areas of Mpondwe-Bwera where flash floods and lan…

Children with special needs are most marginalized and their concerns are often ignored. They face pervasive barriers that limit their participation in education.…

As the second wave of the corona virus infections continue to rise in Uganda with 92,490 and 2,557 Deaths (Ministry of Health), Government put in place measures to curb the rapid spread of the deadly virus. The measures had an influence on both the young and the old but Children living in the slums …

It is not only adolescent Girls, who have been negatively impacted by the covid-19 pandemic but Women as well, the lack of information about menstrual hygiene management coupled with inadequate funds to purchase sanitary products.…

On November 27th 2020, Girls Not Brides Uganda, Joy for Children Uganda in collaboration with World Vision, organized 3rd National Girl summit November 2020, under the theme “Securing Uganda`s future: enhancing collective Action to end child marriage in the face of covid 19”.…