Situation analySiS

Situation analySiS of Children in uganda 20155 the right toprotectionThis chapter provides an overview of child protection issues in Uganda,including violence against children and the circumstances that make somechildren particularly vulnerable. It describes the measures being taken, orwhich need to be taken, in order to provide a more comprehensive andsystematic response.5.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEWUganda has been a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) since1990 and has taken some substantial steps in fulfilling its obligations under the Convention.These obligations include children’s right to be protected against any form of violence,abuse and exploitation.Most children in Uganda have faced some form of violence – physical, sexual, emotional ordomestic. Over 8 million children, 51% of the child population, are considered vulnerable(Kalibala and Lynne, 2010). Girls are especially vulnerable to sexual abuse, some 32,130children head households and over 40,000 children live in institutional care. After the ageof 10 years, adolescent boys and girls face specific protection risks, especially those whosefamilies are poor and who send their children to work instead of attending school or whomarry off their daughters as part of their survival mechanisms. Girls also face challengeswith regard to social norms that dictate female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C), earlymarriage and teenage pregnancy. Living in poverty also places vulnerable children furtherat risk because of high rates of child labour and child trafficking. Child-related offences (asvictims and as offenders) are prevalent in Uganda, with defilement being a serious concern.5.2 PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES INSERVICE PROVISION5.2.1 Violence against childrenAccording to a study conducted by the MoGLSD and UNICEF, almost 40% of Ugandan childrenhave suffered physical violence 8 that has negatively affected them (Matovu, no date:8. UNICEF defines violence against children as ‘any form of physical or mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment,maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse’ (unicef, 2014).thE rIGht to ProtECtIoN67