AfriChild disseminates research on violence against children in nine regions

Among the regions, eastern Uganda is leading in sexual violence perpetrated against girls and boys at 43.5 percent and 21 per cent respectively. Central region is second to the east in sexual violence followed by the west and north. “As parents, we are not doing enough to keep our children from pornographic materials.

Pornography is in classrooms, phones and homes. Rather than treating symptoms, let us treat the cause of sexual immorality to lower defilement figures,” said Sheik Bashir Kayondo, an imam from Kabarole mosque during the meeting in FortPortal.

MORE FINDINGS

The study identified the perpetrators of the first incident of sexual abuse as neighbors for girls and friends for boys. This implies that homes and schools are unsafe environments for children. Other perpetrators were identified to be intimate partners, classmates and strangers.

Thirty five percent of the females interviewed reported to have experienced sexual violence in their homes whereas the boys reported that it was at school.

In terms of physical violence, nearly 70 per cent of females and males experienced physical violence in childhood with over 90 percent of them experiencing multiple incidents of violence. Physical violence was defined as punching, kicking, burning or striking a child with an object. Of those who experienced physical violence, more than half had their first experience between six and 11 years. Approximately one in 10 children had this experience under the age of five.

“Before we can tell others to take good care of their children, let us start looking at our own children as being vulnerable to abuse. We need to protect them so that they can grow to realize their full potential.”

Fred Lukabwe, a representative from MGLSD during the meeting in Mbarara.

Furthermore, the survey also found that emotional violence in childhood was high with one in three females and males having experienced it before the age of 12. According to the survey, emotional violence by a parent or caregiver was defined as being told that you are not loved or being ridiculed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Different regional leaders suggested different solutions to ending the scourge on violence against children. Below are the different submissions that were captured

Mondo Kyateka-Commissioner Youth and Children’s Affairs-MGLSD: There is a need to do background checks on the maids that we bring at home. Let us all involve children in decision making in the home instead of neglecting and abusing them.

Rev. Samuel Mugisa – Fort Portal Diocese: As leaders, we need to lead by example. Most of the violence that is happening to our children does not happen from without. We need to eliminate traditional beliefs that we have cherished for long because some of these are responsible for child abuse.

Awor Bernadette – District Community Development Officer, Pakwach: There is need for the country to establish coordination points especially for border districts because many children are trafficked and brought to work as fishermen..