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.
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 the ICT sector with unequal economic outputs, fewer opportunities for professional growth, and difficulty in accessing leadership positions. This persistent gender gap in digital access keeps women from unlocking technology’s full potential.
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 experience sexual or physical violence in their lifetimes.
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.
