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| CDO Kitholhu Addresing the committee |
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| Mr.Ayo talking about VAC |
In
the struggle to create zero violence against children at all stages and levels,
RIC-NET strengthens the child protection
committee in Kitholhu Sub-county. Wider child
protection knowledge in regard to the upbringing of children, teaching children
their rights and duties, roles and responsibilities of the committee, referral mechanisms
among others were discussed. Current cases of violence against children like
sexual harassment, denial of food,
child labour, bad touches, nicknaming, tattooing, use of vulgar language
child marriages among others in Kitholhu Sub-County were also highlighted and
ways to solve them such as making referrals to respective offices, moving to
churches and ceremonies to preach the message prevention of VAC, providing
guidance and counseling to VAC victims,
keeping records of homes with violence cases, preach the message of love of
parents to their children, making community awareness among others was also put
forth. This committee is comprised of Para-social
workers, zonal leaders, religious, the police, probation office and local
leaders.
During
the meeting, senior women teachers who are also part of the committee were
assigned to identify defilement cases among pupils and report immediately, head
teachers were also tasked to compulsorily carryout pregnancy screening among
girls every term, parents were requested to provide vocational skills to
children who have dropped out of school, the committee should identify VAC
cases and follow them up among others.
Internationally
there is growing attention to the prevalence of violence against children and
huge momentum around preventing and addressing violence against children. Many
studies, such as the Violence
Against Children Studies
(VAC),
have added to the growing body of evidence that demonstrates how violence
against children and the exploitation of children are global social, economic,
human rights and public health issues, with significant negative health and
social impacts. In Uganda, an estimated 25% of teenage girls are sexually
abused, resulting in child motherhood and a high risk of HIV/AIDS and other
sexually-transmitted infections (Uganda National Household Survey). In
addition, 38% of children experience violence at home and 32% at school. The
evidence shows that children and adolescents in Uganda continue to face sexual
exploitation, early marriages, human trafficking, drug and substance abuse,
involvement in social unrest, and engaging in criminal activities.
Therefore
let it be everyone’s responsibility to create zero violence against children in
Kasese and Uganda as a whole.
