MENSTRUAL CARE IN RURAL EDUCATION SETTINGS
Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in rural Uganda remains a pressing issue, affecting theeducation and well-being
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2024
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 development.
Poverty and Cultural Practices fueling Child marriages in Kiruhura district in WesternUganda.
Child forced marriages [ CFM] 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 higher than the national average of 27 percent. According to the UDHS, child marriage was more common in rural areas, were poverty and low levels of education persistent. This harmful practice disproportionately affects girls preventing them from living their lives free from all forms of violence. We take a look at Kiruhura district in Western Uganda where we interacted with early marriage survivors, local leaders and organizations advocating for the rights of children. The interaction with the leaders and different stakeholders gave an opportunity to the child rights advocates to clearly understand the drivers behind the rampant cases of child marriages and how they can be minimized.
PROMOTING POSITIVE MASCULINITIES AMONG MEN AND BOYS TO END CHILD MARRIAGE
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.
Engaging communities in ending all forms of violence against children in Uganda
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 health, as well as their ability to learn and thrive. In order to address and ultimately eradicate this issue, it is imperative to engage communities in the effort to end all forms of violence against children in Uganda.
Collective efforts to End child Marriage in Uganda
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 education, health, and a bright future. However, there is hope as organizations in Uganda are collectively working towards ending this harmful practice.
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.
