The government of Uganda through ministry of gender, labour and social development has put in place various mechanisms to address violence against children (VAC) prevention and response. Interventions are inclusive in nature as they start right from the villages to national level.
Violence Against Children are all forms of violence against people under 18 years, whether perpetrated by parents or caregivers; peers, romantic partners or strangers . Violence against children includes; maltreatment, bullying, youth violence, domestic violence, sexual violence and emotional/psychological violence.
Child marriage, defined as marriage before the age of 18, is associated with adverse human capital outcomes. Emphasis is more placed on girls because this is an issue that impacts girls in far larger numbers and with more intensity.
Local activism is a strategy used by Joy for Children to end violence against children. Community members are reached with information on violence against children (VAC) prevention and response. Activities such as community dialogues, focus group discussions, poster talks, advocacy and review meetings have been held with different groups of people in the community including boda boda (motorcylists) riders.
Kampala city and the neighboring communities have fashioned a flouring night business on the streets. Night street markets are common in urban rural residential communities and neighboring such as Kamokya, Bwaise, Wandegeya, Ntinda, Nansana, Bweyogere, and Kireka among others.
According to UNFPA, good Sexual and Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing in all matters relating to the reproductive system. It implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life , the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so.
It’s amazing what local leaders can do in the campaign to end child marriages in Uganda! Joy For Children Uganda was blessed to engage local leaders from the sub counties of Hakibaale, Buheesi, Kibiito, Ruteete, Mugusu and the South Division of Fort Portal Munincipality.
Jennifer is a little girl in her primary one. She lives with her mother in one of the Kampala suburbs. Jennifer live with other 7 children in her home – four of these are orphans whose parents died during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) war. Since the family moved from Northern Uganda, it has not been easy for them to afford food, education or medical care.
Sexual violence is a broad issue and has been defined differently by various groups. According to the survey report 2018 on VAC conducted by MGLSD, SVAC has been defined as including all forms of sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children. This encompasses a range of acts, including completed non-consensual sex acts, attempted non-consensual sex acts, and abusive sexual contact.
GBV continues to be problem in Uganda and it affects all people irrespective of their social, economic and political status. GBV happens in families, communities, workplaces and institutions.
For example, the Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS) 2011 indicate that 56% of women aged between 15 and 49 years in Uganda have experienced physical violence at some point in life, 28% of women in the same age group have experienced sexual violence, compared to 9% of men.
