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, conflicts, natural disasters and mental health problems. CSA has remained both pervasive and persistent despite existing legislative, policy and practice initiatives to address it. The majority of CSA cases remain hidden, are heavily under-reported and some even never investigated to a great extent.
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, and sexual violence. Violence against children in Uganda is at a rising scale. Reports of cruel and humiliating punishment, abandonment, sexual abuse and all other forms of violence are seen every day.
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 family plays a key social role for the wellbeing and organization of society and are idealized as places of refuge and safety, they are also sites for abuse and injustice.
The media is a powerful tool that plays a critical role in driving state accountability; exposing impunity and advocating for change.
Joy for Children Uganda was saddened to learn about the brutal massacre of innocent
students of Lubiriha S.S in Mpondwe – Bwera, Kasese District. On June 17th 2023 , it was
reported that Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked Lhubiriha secondary school in a border town of Mpondwe living 41 people dead including 38 students who were burned, shot
and hacked to death.
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 implementation of agreements, and providing recommendations and information to decision-makers or human rights and advocacy groups.
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 Gender- Based Violence, new HIV infections and teenage pregnancies.
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 be able to make informed decisions about their sexual health and well-being.
