Through
a community led mechanism to enhance the dignity of children who are looked at
as the minority group in society, Rwenzori Information Centers-Network under
RWECO with funding from East African Children Fund, organized a neighborhood
assembly about violence against children in Karambi Sub County at Kamasasa
primary on 8th May, 2016.
The
assembly was attended by approximately one hundred community members. The community heads were also present who included; the chairman LCI, LCII chairperson, councilors, senior elders,
Para-social workers, women groups, youth groups, pupils of Kamasasa primary
school and other children from the community. During assembly people cited out
the cases of violence the children are facing in Karambi sub county such as; Early marriages, children headed families hindering children from
concentrating on their class work, taking children to the market to baby sit,
hard labor imposed on the children, denial of food, defilement, rape, abortion
and exposing the children to alcoholism by their parents. All these being
caused by lack of love in the family, alcoholism, adultery, high birth rate,
ignorance, poverty among others. During the discussions, the children present
were able to give testimonies of the different things that have been done to
them and they don’t feel happy with them.
In
conclusion, a way forward was drawn as follows;
· Advise
parents to take children to school and let them stay in school.
· Go
to churches and community meetings to preach the message about VAC and the need
to have a violent free environment.
· Design
and pass a law that will prevent parents from taking the children to the market
during school days.
· Love
should prevail among the married couples so that even the children can share on
that love.
· A
stakeholders’ meeting was suggested to strengthen and implement what
has been discussed.
· Report
all cases of violence with effect without fear or favour
· People
should have GOD fearing families.
