CSOs form coalition against child abuse
Boys sleep in a makeshift dormitory in in Lungulu Sub-county, Nwoya District. Child labour on commercial farms in Nwoya is on the rise which has prompted CSOs to form a coalition to combat it. PHOTO BY JULUIS OCUNGI
Gulu- A section of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have established a coalition in partnership with district local government officials in the districts of Nwoya, Gulu and Omoro to combat violence against children.
The coalition spearheaded by Save the Children, a non-governmental organisation, will see the CSOs push advocacy agenda on children’s rights and address teenage pregnancy, child labour and child marriage.
Despite the national strategy to end child marriage and teenage pregnancy that was launched by government in 2015, the problem seems to be on the rise.
The prevalence of child marriages in northern Uganda is at 59 per cent according to reports from United Nations Children’s Fund. In Omoro District, the statistics of teenage pregnancy of November last year stood at 28.5 per cent higher than the national average of 25 per cent.
Speaking with representatives of CSOs at the establishment of the coalition in Gulu Town on Thursday, Ms Dillis Ekany, the programme officer of child protection at Save the Children, said now is the time to end child abuse in the region.
“We want to have a functional CSO coalition that will ensure children’s rights are promoted and budget allocation to the district especially to support child rights,” Ms Ekany said.
She said the initiative is also aimed at increasing the education of children.
Ms Ekany said Save the Children alone cannot win the war on abuse of children, adding that it is only through partnership that the vice will be combated.
Mr Geoffrey Okello, the executive director of non-governmental organisation forum, said the establishment of the coalition would pass a clear statement on the demands based on the laws and policies of the country.
“We know the cost of having a girl getting pregnant, the cost may be death or children may be born and not well taken care of because the mothers are children too,” he said.
Mr Okello said the coalition would ensure proper planning in tackling the issue.
In Gulu District, statistics show 33 per cent of girls get married before the age of 18.
Lack of funds
The Gulu District probation officer, Ms Jessica Anena, said the problem has been worsened by the little budget allocation of Shs600,000 her department gets quarterly to address child violence.
The coalition would also tackle the increase of child labour in Nwoya District in commercial farms.
Ms Esther Alimo, the Nwoya District probation officer, said they are overwhelmed by the growing numbers of children being recruited on commercial farms in the district and noted that it is because of the divergent views of political heads.
This year’s commemoration to celebrate the Day of the African Child (DAC) will be celebrated in Omoro District on June 16.
