CHILDREN SHOULD BE NURTURED IN A VIOLENT-FREE ENVIRONMENT.

By -


Published in Daily Monitor, Kampala, Tuesday, September 18, 2012



Yesterday, the Daily monitor published a story about a jilted husband who shifted his frustration to daughter and cut her deep on the head just because his wife had sexually starved him for three months. It is becoming common these days to read in the press reports about children who are being abused daily.

We always find stories about young girls defiled by their biological fathers or relatives; Children starved to death, children sacrificed; children engaging in child labour; children denied a right to education; children burnt to ashes in their family houses, schools,etc. The list of crimes being committed against children is endless.

On average, 16 girls are reportedly defiled everyday country wide. Many girls have dropped out of school due to pregnancies arising from defilement. However most of their tormentors are not always followed up due to corruption and negligence by some parents.

Recently, a girl was reportedly burnt while roasting maize. It is a great pity that this happened due to the rivalry between the co-wives so she was a victim of circumstances. Children often suffer at the expense of their parents and this has to stop. According to statistics at Nakasongola Police station, a total of 100 underage girls have been defiled this year in the district. This is absurd. It is not something we should jubilate about. This should be cause for concern not only to the parents and children, but also to the entire country.

A girl child’s life is at stake and there is great need to safe-guard them from all forms of abuse. We should realise that a girl-child is the most vulnerable human being in any community. It is sad that when some parents cannot afford to provide their children with basic necessities such as food, clothing and medical care, they often turn their frustration to the children. Parents should avoid involving children in their frustrations.

It is most important that parents use family planning methods to enable them give birth to children they can best look after. Alternatively, they should work harder to ensure that they are in position to provide for their family requirements. It is the responsibility of parents to protect and provide wholly for their children.

Child abuse should be eliminated and children should be allowed to enjoy all their rights. People who inflict pain on children should be punished. It is important that children are allowed to live in an environment which is free of violence.

Caroline Sanyu Nakalyango,

Communications officer at Joy for Children Uganda

info@joyforchildren.org

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Background

By -
Image
Joy for Children-Uganda (JFC-U) is a non-profit organization established in 2006 and duly registered under the Non-Governmental Organizations Registration Statute, 1989. The organization was established with an aim of being a voice to the voiceless poor children in the world. The carry out programs that are aimed at making children live a life that will enable them take care of themselves and others in future. The basis of the organization has been the promotion of children rights international, regional and local instruments. We also work to empower the family and the community at large making them able to care for their children. We work to fill the exiting gaps in the community that can not be met by the government and the private (for-profit) in rural and urban areas Vision: “ A society devoid of children’s rights violation where all children have equal opportunity to maximize their potential”. Mission: “ To support and advocate for the needs and rights
Read more

PLUG THE LOOPHOLES IN THE CHILDREN’S ACT

By -
Published in the NEW VISION, Kampala, Monday, September 24, 2012. Pg 16 .  By Caroline Sanyu Nakalyango In July, I wrote an article entitled: What is the plight of child mothers? In it, I expressed concern about the worrying number of girls getting pregnant in primary schools. According to the Ugandan Annual Crime and Traffic/Road Safety Report 2011, a total of 7,690 cases of defilement were reported in 2011. However, only 3,836 suspects were arrested and taken to court. This implies that over 50% of defilement cases were dropped. Parents negotiate with defilers of their children for bride price. It is absurd these parents value wealth and property more than their children’s health and lives. Last week, a story about a 12-year -old mother was published. It is a pity that this girl was defiled by a 24 –year-old man who in turn gave the girl’s father a cow to silence the crime. If this girl was not discovered by the community, she would either have lost he
Read more

Compassion Project

By -
Image
Compassion Project: Children take part in cleaning the local market Saturday 6 June, 2009 The compassion project carried out on 06 June, 2009 by children from African Child Academy. The project is part of the Kids Games which are held by projects in and around Kampala. Kids Games seek to empower children through experiential learning. The compassion project aims at instilling in children a spirit of responsibility, love and kindness towards the community they live in. Over 30 children took part in the project. Children gathered at their school located in the slum of Bwaise (Kawempe Division) at 9:30am along with their tools (brooms, spades, and hoes) which they were asked to carry along from their homes. The children registered their names upon arrival. Prayers were led by one of the children at 9:50am to dedicate the activities and the day unto the lord. They were then briefed about Kids Games and the Compassion Project by Mr. Ntenga Moses the Executive Director of Joy for Children-
Read more