How the high Cost of school fees is forcing Ugandan Children out of School
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
Blog
The role of Men & Boys in Ending Child Marriage in Uganda
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, the role of men and boys in ending this harmful practice is crucial and cannot be overlooked.
MY EXPERIENCE AT THE 7th REGIONAL PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT (PSS) FORUM
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 Population and Health Research Centre.
Child sexual Abuse in Uganda
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.
LEGAL FRAMEWORK ON VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN UGANDA
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.
VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN THE FAMILY SETTING
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 CRITICAL ROLE OF MEDIA IN ENDING CHILD MARRIAGE
The media is a powerful tool that plays a critical role in driving state accountability; exposing impunity and advocating for change.
JFCU statement on school attack in Kasese District
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.
THE ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN PEACE BUILDING
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.
ENGAGING MEN AND BOYS TO CHALLENGE AND CHANGE THE SOCIAL NORMS AND ATTITUDES THAT CAUSE AND PERPETUATE GBV IN COMMUNITIES
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.
IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT CHILD MARRIAGE
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.
