Child Rights Advocacy
On October 13th 2021, Members of the 10th Parliament of Uganda on the Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children paid a courtesy visit to Joy for Children-Uganda to renew the working partnership with the forum in regards to the protection of Children’ rights.
Strong partnerships play an important role in advocacy; the Parliamentary Forum cannot realize its objectives without a strong collaboration with other stakeholders. It involves building good relationships within parliament and government, private sector, alliance of children’s networks and civil society organizations.
The Uganda parliamentary Forum for Children is the parliamentary lobbying group for the Ugandan Parliament that was initiated during the 7th parliament to create an avenue through which the status of Ugandan Children especially those in difficult circumstances could be addressed. The forum is dedicated to ensuring that Children enjoy their rights and fully exercise their potential to realize their aspirations, promote their rights and make meaningful contributions towards the creation of a country fit for Children.
In the meeting, Hon. Margret Makhoha the Chairperson of the Forum stressed the need for increased child advocacy most especially in the unfortunate times of the covid-19 pandemic where Lockdowns and School closures have greatly contributed to the rising cases of teenage pregnancy, child labor, child marriage, child exploitation and abuse.
As parliament, we cannot work in isolation, we need civil society organizations because you are the implementers and we are the policy makers. We are deeply saddened by the increasing rates of teenage pregnancies and child mothers but we have not moved to see where the child mothers are and follow up on the perpetrators. She said.
It was emphasized that realizing Children’s rights is critical to achieving sustainable development goals by 2030 which manifest the highest aspirations for a bright future for every child.
In his address to the parliamentarians, Moses Ntenga the Executive Director, Joy for Children- Uganda highlighted the critical role of different stakeholders in advocating for Children’s rights.
We need to have everyone board to address the pressing needs of the Children, as the Honorable had earlier mentioned, we cannot work in isolation, we have to work with all stakeholders. On the part of parliamentarians, we expect leaders to provide alternatives to solutions, Audit on the magnitude of the problem of child marriage and teenage pregnancy and most importantly renew the National Strategy to end child marriage in Uganda. He said.
He stated that Joy for Children-Uganda alone cannot lead the campaign for Child rights Advocacy hence the need to work with other partners such as Parliamentarians, private sector, Uganda Police force and other civil society organizations. He also underscored the importance of strengthening community based organizations because they directly interact with children and parents in their localities.
In her closing remarks, the chairperson of the Forum Hon. Margret Makhoha re-echoed Parliaments commitment to supporting civil society organizations in ensuring the safety and protection of children and appreciated Joy for Children –Uganda for spear heading the campaign to end child marriage and violence against Children.
