Community members were the main perpetrators
of the abuses and as such could not report the rights violations, while those
that tried were often frustrated by the weak structures such as the police, and
local leaders in charge of children affairs; this was because they were either
corrupt or outright incompetent. This incompetence was attributed to the lack
of knowledge on the existing laws and policies on child rights protection and
promotion. Most of the duty bearers were not aware of their roles and responsibilities
in protecting and promoting child rights.
However, through IDF supported
interventions, RACOBAO (an IDF grantee) has been able to empower duty bearers
with knowledge and skills in child rights promotion and protection. RACOBAO has
continued to conduct several sensitization and dialogue meetings with the
rights holders (community) and the duty bearers (leaders and service providers)
to educate them on the existing laws and policies on child rights protection,
and their roles and responsibilities towards the same. Community based
interface meetings (barazas) have been conducted to allow for discussions
between duty bearers and rights holders on issues of child rights protection.
During these, several action plans are developed, implemented by the
responsible persons and also monitored to check progress on what was planned.
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| Duty Bearers of Kaliiro sub-county developing action plans during a dialogue meeting |
Reports indicate that the
capacities of several community structures of duty bearers/service providers
have been strengthened and their vigilance and responsiveness to handling cases
of rights abuses reported has increased. On the other hand, increased vigilance
on reporting cases of human rights abuse by the community members has also been
witnessed.
A case in point is where some community members in February 2014 whistle blew to the duty
bearers about two arranged early marriages for one Daphne, a 15 year old girl from
Kyalwandemu village, Kiyinda parish, Kaliiro Sub County and Babirye Allen a 16
year old girl from Bwamulamira village, Bwamulamira parish, Kinuuka Sub County.
The community alerted the police about the planned give away ceremonies for
these young girls by their parents.
The police immediately swung into action, foiled
the ceremonies and cautioned the parents and suitors never to repeat such a
thing. The girls were later sent back to school and are happily studying.
During a recent sensitization meeting, the District Probation and Social
Welfare Officer noted “We are recording an unprecedented increase
in the number of child rights abuses reported to and handled by my office. We
call upon everyone in the community to join hands against abusing children”.
Adding their commitment to the rest of the
duty bearers, some religious leaders in Lyatonde district have vowed to always
ask for birth certificates of brides before conducting marriage ceremonies. This
is going to check on the number of early marriages conducted in the district. RACOBAO
believes that, such measures if sustained will contribute a lot in wiping out the
rampant child rights violations from Lyantonde district and consequently
contribute to the national goal of human rights promotion and protection and
the promotion of school enrollment, retention and completion for many children.
