There is no such a thing as a child marriage budget. Child marriage is a complex issue, involves multi-sectorial approach, thus impacting on so many sectors. Over time when child protection actors perceive child marriage, the Ministry of Gender comes as a reference.
When it rains in the night, deep into my slumber, chances are that I will not hear the rain until another day. When a country, stretches towards technology, but cannot reach the people, then it fits the analogy of night rain during a deep slumber.
Child marriage affects 12 million girls every year, across countries, cultures and religions. Like many other forms of harmful practices, it is a violation of human rights. In Uganda, 40% of our girls are married before their 18th birthday and one in every 10 girls is married before the age of 15.
In the slum communities, where we work, most of the children do not stay with their fathers. This is not because their fathers died! For many, the men that sired them are living, they are going on with their lives elsewhere, and some are thriving.
Today Joy For Children Uganda (JFCU) joins the rest of the world honouring refugees around the globe and celebrating their strength and courage of these people who were forced to flee their home countries to escape conflict or persecution.
Due to poverty, gender discrimination, poor parenting and lack of knowledge, 25% of adolescent girls in Uganda are currently pregnant or have already given birth to their first child. Teenage pregnancy has various negative impacts like severe health complications and early school drop out of girls.
Shafiq is one of the Children with Disabilities living in the slums of Bwaise, and supported by Joy for Children Uganda. He lives with his mother solely and never stops bringing her mother smiles and joy as an only child.
Adder is 15 year old junior leader that was trained by Joy for Children. She was also previously on the sponsorship program until she finished her primary 7. Her mother is one of the members and leaders for Bukoto community support group for women.
On 11th May, when we visited Kivulu slum community, on seeing me, maama Angel forged a wry smile out of courtesy! It was all written in her smile even before she spoke to me about her situation.
More than 20 women including lactating mothers have been charged with violation of COVID-19 emergency measures by the Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Lira District.
