Advocacy & Child Protection
Orphans and vulnerable children remains a serious issue with the rate increasing from 11% in 2000 to 13.4% in 2003 and 14% in 2010. Variations in vulnerability of children in all regions of Uganda tend to be associated with wealth distribution. There is more vulnerability in poorer regions of the north and Eastern compared to the relatively stable parts of the country such as the central region.
The Constitution of Uganda defines a child as a person below 18yrs. There are over 13 million children in Uganda forming 56% of the total population, implying that for every ten people almost six are children (Housing and population census 2002). Of the total number of children in Uganda, two million are orphans (NSPPI) these children mostly live with one of the parents or their extended family or as child headed households. According to the National Orphans and other Vulnerable Children policy, at least one out of four orphans provides support for other orphans in form of shelter, clothing, medical care, education and food and other basic needs. Major causes of child vulnerability include poverty, armed conflict, HIV and AIDS, disability and other diseases.
The difficult socio-economic circumstances that vulnerable children encounter are always compounded with other family related factors such as domestic violence, low incomes, household food insecurity, and poor child care practices. Inadequate capacity of families, communities and limited funding to key child protection programs greatly contributes to the vulnerability of children. Based on the above situation, the organization provides the flowing services: Community mobilization and sensitization out reaches on child rights awareness.
KADO does the following, in this regard:-
- Community mobilization and sensitization out reaches on child rights awareness
- Mobilize and train teachers on child rights protection practices
- Mobilize and train parents on child rights protection practices
- Hold radio talk shows and sports and child rights protection practices
- Training Community Leaders on OVC and child rights protection practices
- Identify and train parish based volunteers to monitor child abuses and reporting.
- Production & dissemination of IEC Messages on OVC related issues. In order to halt child abuse, defilement, sexual abuse.
- Facilitate abused children to settle disputes and secure legal services
