Situation analySiS

Situation analySiS of Children in uganda 2015Ministerial reports and national reports conducted by UNICEF (c.f. Matovu, no date andMoGLSD et al., 2014) have highlighted the negative effects of child marriage, indicating astrong negative effect on children, often resulting in early pregnancy, social isolation and theabandonment of education. In fact, the Adolescent Girls Vulnerability Index (AGI) conductedby the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development and UNICEF has highlighted earlymarriage as key driver of pregnancy and school dropout (MoGLSD and UNICEF, 2013).In comparison to many of the other countries in Africa where FGM/C is practised, Ugandahas a very low rate. Since the 2010 anti-FGM/C act, there has been good progress in ensuringthat this harmful practice is eliminated. Only 2% of women are circumcised (28 Too Many,2013; UBOS and ICF International, 2012). In 2011, over 56% of Ugandan women had heardof female circumcision. Of the women interviewed for the UDHS survey in 2011, only 9%reported wanting to continue the FGM/C practice and over 80% stated that they wanted thispractice to stop.FGM/C is practised by particular ethnic groups living in specific geographic areas, namely theSabiny in Kapchorwa, Bukwo and Kween districts in Eastern Uganda and the Pokot, Tepethand Kadama in Nakapiripirit, Moroto and Amudat districts in the Karamoja sub-region.Among the Pokot group the practice is nearly universal (95%). The overall rate of FGM/Cincreased from 0.6% in 2006 to 1.4% in 2011. In the Eastern Region, where there has beena longer history of intervention against FGM/C, the rate has decreased from 2.4% in 2006to 2.3%, whereas in Karamoja the prevalence is still at 4.8% (UBOS and ICF International,2012). The Sabiny practise Type I or II FGM, 10 usually around the age of 15, although girls asyoung as 10 are at risk. Among the Pokot, who mostly practise Type III infibulations, 11 girlsare cut aged 9–14 (28 Too Many, 2013). Among the Tepeth, girls are cut between the agesof 11 and 14 years. FGM/C has a direct relationship with early marriage and subsequentlyteenage pregnancy. Among the Sabiny, for example, FGM is usually performed on girls whoare considered to be reaching maturity for marriage (between the ages of 12 and 15). Similarly,among the Pokot, adulthood is marked by both FGM/C and marriage, therefore puttinggirls as young as nine at risk (28 Too Many, 2013).10. type i: clitoridectomy; type ii: partial or total removal of the clitoris and the labia minora, with or without excision of the labiamajora (excision)11. Type III: Narrowing of the vaginal orifice with creation of a covering seal by cutting and appositioning the labia minora and/or the labiamajora, with or without excision of the clitoris (infibulation).thE rIGht to ProtECtIoN73