Violence against children, the voices of Ugandan ... - Raising Voices

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Children’s VoicesWhat do you do when violence is committed against you?I just keep quiet so that they can feel ashamedof what they have done.12-year-old girl, NakapiripiritI run to my mother.13-year-old girl, WakisoI go to my grandmother for help or just staythere until things cool down.15-year-old, boy NakapiripiritI run to our neighbour who is also my auntie.13-year-old boy, ApacI hide and pray to God to forgive that personwho has beaten me.15-year-old girl, KaseseDo nothing at all because there is no solution.10-year-old boy, IgangaI beat any child who is passing by.14-year-old boy, WakisoWhen they deny me food, I steal it.13-year-old girl, KaseseI do not turn to anyone I just run to the street.12-year-old girl, KaseseI would not run to anyone, because if I did, thatwould get more problems at home. Instead, Ijust protect myself from what is raining on mewhile screaming.13-year-old girl, ApacI don’t settle when I think they are going tobeat me. I just be as if I do not have life andquake with fear a lot.12-year-old boy, KaseseI try as much as possible to tolerate it. I havenowhere to run to, otherwise I would have runaway. I do not tell anyone, because the peopleI tell might spread it around that that’s how myparents treat me, and I do not want others toknow this.12-year-old boy, WakisoAfter crying, I just keep quiet and just bear it,waiting for when I will grow up and leave home.14-year-old girl, WakisoI just pray, because when I go and tell anyonewhat has happened it is like the situationworsens.16-year-old girl, ApacI cry loudly so everyone will notice what ishappening.15-year-old girl, Iganga46 Part Two Children’s Experiences
What kind of relationships do we want to create with children?Many children reported fearing the adults aroundthem. Their level of anxiety increased in thepresence of adults, and many of them became shyand unable to express themselves. They felt thatadults were not willing to listen to their concernsand that adults saw children as needing to becontrolled rather than understood. They did notexpect fairness, onlycritical judgment,regarding theirshortcomings. Throughnarrative role playsas well as journals,children describedfeeling vulnerablewhen an adultinteracted with them,expecting the adult toembarrass or humiliatethem. These childrencraved a different kindof relationship, withina context of love andaffection, rather thanfear and shame.When adults were asked what kind of arelationship they wanted to create with children,their overriding concern appeared to be theirresponsibility to guide children on how to behaveand create a value system that reflected thetraditions of their community. Despite contraryexperience, many persisted in believing thatfear and shame were the most potent tools forachieving this and that it was in the best interestsof children to be subjected to this form of disciplineto create cohesive communities.Clearly, adults as a group do not persist in thisbelief because they harbour animosity or hatredtowards children. Most adults are trying toconstruct a relationshipwith children within thebelief that by assertingtheir power over children,they are acting in theinterest of the child.Yet in this study it alsobecame clear that thereis a crisis of confidencein this approach. Onlya third of the adults, forexample, believe thatbeating children actuallychanges their behaviour(see page 80). Manyadults recognized thatassociating fear andshame with an act does not teach the child whatis wrong with the act and hence help them grow,but merely creates fearful and shamed childrenwho repress their true nature to survive. Is thatour intention? Is that what we as a community areembarked on?I wish he would listen to me before beating meall the time. A small mistake - slap! Laugh tooloud - a cane! Many times I don’t even knowwhy he is beating me.14-year-old girl, WakisoPart Two Children’s Experiences 47
Page 1 and 2:
ViolenceAgainstChildrenThe Voices o
Page 3 and 4:
ViolenceAgainstChildrenThe Voices o
Page 5 and 6:
DedicationThis work is dedicated to
Page 7 and 8: TABLES1.1 Children consulted throug
Page 9 and 10: EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis study examine
Page 11 and 12: a new dimension to the adult-child
Page 13 and 14: PART ONEResearch DesignPURPOSE OF S
Page 15 and 16: PARTICIPANTSA total of 1406 childre
Page 17 and 18: METHODOLOGYData CollectionThe resea
Page 19 and 20: Through this process, two interesti
Page 21 and 22: Children’s VoicesWhat do you unde
Page 23 and 24: esearch.Children’s Conception of
Page 25: It was recognized during the format
Page 28 and 29: QUESTION 1Have you experienced viol
Page 30 and 31: QUESTION 2Have you experienced phys
Page 32 and 33: Children’s VoicesHave you experie
Page 34 and 35: QUESTION 3Have you experienced emot
Page 38 and 39: QUESTION 4Have you experienced sexu
Page 42 and 43: QUESTION 5Have you experienced econ
Page 46 and 47: QUESTION 6Who commits violence agai
Page 48 and 49: Children’s VoicesKey Informant In
Page 50 and 51: QUESTION 7How do you feel when viol
Page 52 and 53: Children’s VoicesHow do you feel
Page 54 and 55: Children’s VoicesYou feel ashamed
Page 56 and 57: QUESTION 8What do you do when viole
Page 60 and 61: QUESTION 9What, if anything, should
Page 62 and 63: Children’s VoicesWhat, if anythin
Page 64 and 65: Children’s VoicesSensitize elders
Page 66 and 67: KEY FINDINGSMore than 90 percent of
Page 69 and 70: PART THREEAdults’ Rationale for V
Page 71 and 72: QUESTION 1Are children punished in
Page 73 and 74: Adults’ VoicesCulturally, we watc
Page 75 and 76: of being reported to higher authori
Page 77 and 78: QUESTION 3How often do you punish c
Page 79 and 80: Adults’ VoicesHow often do you pu
Page 81 and 82: In what ways do you punish children
Page 83 and 84: Adults’ VoicesIn what ways do you
Page 89 and 90: In interviews, many teachers admitt
Page 91 and 92: Adults’ Voicestimes, I feel happy
Page 93 and 94: I know beating her has not changed
Page 95 and 96: QUESTION 7Are there ways in which a
Page 97 and 98: Adults’ VoicesAre there ways in w
Page 99 and 100: QUESTION 8What should be done when
Page 101 and 102: Adults’ VoicesWhat should be done
Page 103 and 104: 6. Adults believe in a hierarchy of
Page 105 and 106: PART FOURRecommendationsWHAT WOULD
Page 107 and 108: violence. The legislation should in
Page 109 and 110:
3.6 RESEARCHCommission research tha
Page 111 and 112:
5.9 COMMUNITY SENSITISATIONIntroduc
Page 113 and 114:
Part Four Recommendations101
Page 115 and 116:
Graphic Publishers Ltd, Plot 19A Na
show all

Violence against children, the voices of Ugandan ... - Raising Voices

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?