| dc.description.abstract | Millions of children globally and in Uganda are not fully protected from dangers that threaten to harm their lives and their wellbeing. Many of them face violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation, exclusion and discrimination every day. Such violations limit their chances of surviving, growing, developing and pursuing their goals. This qualitative study explored the contribution of Civil Society Organizations in preventing and managing child abuse in Kampala City, measures undertaken in the prevention and managing child abuse, challenges faced or those that hinder these organizations in effectively doing their work, as well as assessing their contribution.
Using semi structured interview guides, individual face to face in depth interviews were conducted with 10 staff members selected purposively from 6 non-governmental organizations with departments handling child affairs and child-based organizations located in Kampala City.
Key informant interviews with two personnel from the National Children Authority, a body under the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development were also conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data collected.
The study results revealed the different measures undertaken by NGOs in preventing child abuse such as Sensitization in community and schools, partnering with other organizations and bodies, child sponsorship programs, peer education, alternative care, family strengthening , food relief , sexual reproductive health education, learning and discussion forums for girls, capacity building among stuff, child empowerment and skills training, Good Schools tool kit, and SASA community tool among others. The measures undertaken in handling child abuse cases that have already occurred include referrals, partnering with sister organizations, urgent action fund, implementation of child safe guarding policies, continuous tutorials and discussions on child violence and how to address it, visits and follow-ups, and settling family differences. The challenges faced and those that hindered NGOs in effectively carrying out their work include non-functional and poor policies, norms and culture, lack of resources, COVID-19, stigma from survivors, threats from perpetrators, ignorance from society, initial resistance from teachers and parents, bureaucracy in referral processes, challenges in behavior change, media priority issues among others. The study also confirmed that Civil Society Organizations have to a larger extent been successful in the prevention and managing of child abuse in Kampala city, despite the challenges in place. | en_US |
