Karambi Secondary School Child Protection Club

Western Uganda

Bantwana Program

(WUBP)

Child Protection Case Study

Executive Summary

To learn more about how to improve the effectiveness, quality, and reach of child protection efforts implemented by community based organizations (CBOs), the Bantwana Initiative conducted a case study with the nine WUBP CBO partners operating in the districts of Kabarole, Kyenjojo and Kasese. Through WUBP, children, caregivers, and communities are supported to reduce abuse and neglect of children and encourage all community members to participate more actively in child pro-tection. The objectives of the case study were as follows: 1) to identify existing child protection ac-tivities implemented by WUBP’s nine CBO partners; 2) to assess the impact of community child rights and protection programs; 3) to establish the effectiveness of the child protection program; and, 4) to identify gaps in the CBO service delivery mechanism in each district.

Key Results: WUBP child protection activities 1) increased child protection resources; 2) increased self-confidence and knowledge among children who have been trained in child rights and responsi-bilities; 3) improved communication between children and adults; 4) improved community partici-pation; and, 5) strengthened partnerships between stakeholders for improved child protection and advocacy services.

New Resources for Vulnerable Children: WUBP has increased community-based child protec-tion resources available and accessible to children through strong CBO commitment and Psychoso-cial Support (PSS) volunteer services. Bantwana’s Child Rights Clubs (CRCs) have given children a forum to share experiences and report abuses to responsible adults. In addition, the Child Protec-tion Booklet—developed by CRC members in collaboration with district-level child protection stakeholders and Bantwana—provides club members with important information about child rights and has been featured as a best practice by Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Welfare (MGLSD). PSS volunteers also contribute to the protection of vulnerable children, and CBO staff members often directly assist children in difficult situations.

Improved Intergenerational Relations: It is important to create time and space for adults and children to discuss difficult issues and to share their perspectives with each other. Bantwana’s child protection program encourages dialogue between children and their caregivers and promotes both children’s rights and responsibilities. Anecdotal evidence suggests improved relationships between caregivers and children can contribute to a reduction in children’s exploitation, neglect or abuse.

Children Protecting their Own Rights: Most respondents also describe a new confidence and outspokenness among children. Formerly silent and passive in the presence of adults, some children report that they now feel confident and supported to more actively identify and report rights viola-tions.

Children Commit to Self-Improvement and Avoid Dangerous Activities: WUBP’s child pro-tection program provides children with positive goals, with the aim of drawing them away from ac-tivities that put them at risk for exploitation or abuse. Children’s Rights’ Clubs (CRCs) give mem-bers the opportunity to develop their talents, build confidence, and establish positive peer relation-ships with other children. Income generation activities (IGAs) also give children the chance to par-ticipate in rewarding projects. In WUBP partner Ngombe’s out-of-school CRC, members have made handcrafts to sell at local markets. Other clubs plant gardens on school premises, and harvest pineapples, groundnuts, and maize. With the help of PSS volunteers, many caregivers have commu-nicated their expectations regarding children’s chores and responsibilities, which has resulted in more positive engagement of children in their families and communities.

Increased Community Participation in Child Protection: WUBP engages communities using a flexible and context specific approach that gives communities the power to design and adjust their

CHILD PROTECTION CASE STUDY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

own messages and interventions. For instance, PSS volunteers advise caregivers about ways to pro-mote the wellbeing of their children rather than imposing rigid program rules. Discouraging early marriage requires a similar approach. For example, PSS volunteers have successfully worked with caregivers to suspend early marriage so that girls can pursue their education.

Fostering Partnerships: Bantwana encourages partnerships between CBOs and other local institu-tions. The common goal of child protection has served as an entry point for greater CBO collabora-tion with district level government officials, such as local councilors, police officers, probation of-ficers, community development officers, and social workers.

Synergy of Poverty Alleviation and Child Protection Services: Many interviewees remark on the intersection between poverty and child rights’ violations. According to Ngombe volunteer Re-rusi Myahurwa, “Poverty is the root cause of child abuse.” KYEFA caregiver Peter Kaijanabe says that his new kitchen garden has improved his children’s nutrition, “making them more intelligent at school.” An-ecdotal evidence from WUBP suggests that improving the financial security of households enhanc-es children’s overall wellbeing.

Prevention of Abuse: Many respondents comment that Bantwana’s child protection efforts have prevented instances of child abuse. Prompt punishment of defilers sets a strong example when po-tential perpetrators learn that child abuse has severe and immediate penal consequences. Challenges: Despite the many achievements of WUBP’s child protection program, the study also revealed ongoing challenges to ensuring protection of children. These include: 1) Poverty: Most caregivers lack the financial means to provide basic necessities for their children; 2) Unreceptive Caregivers: The struggle to earn a living leaves some caregivers with little time or patience for vol-unteer advice; 3) Withheld Information: Some beneficiaries hide information from CBO staff. Many need money and accept bribes from defilers. Reporting abuse, especially incest, causes fami-lies to fear stigma and shame. Other beneficiaries feel ashamed of HIV positive relatives; 4) Lack of Parental Love: For a variety of reasons, many guardians provide inadequate support to their foster children; 5) Unruly Behavior of Children: Some children misuse knowledge of their rights. The tendency for some troubled children to use child rights messages to justify misbehavior makes caregivers suspicious of the child protection program; 6) Challenges with Local Authorities: Many respondents expressed frustration with the local authorities. Often local officials cover a large area yet lack support (e.g fund to cover transport) to adequately address needs. In some cases, local authorities only respond to cases when CBOs provide transportation funds; 7) Transport and Pro-gram Coverage: Beneficiaries’ households are scattered across vast areas, and reaching them re-quires time and money. This challenges volunteers to conduct an adequate number of home visits. Remaining Challenges: 1) CBO-led child protection leadership enables communities to respond to their most relevant issues and to use approaches that are suitable for their specific challenges and context; 2) Respondents suggested that neglect resulted more from poverty than caregivers’ inten-tion; 3) Child protection issues are not “stand-alone” issues, but rather closely related issues that must

be addressed in a comprehensive manner that combines community sensitization about children’s rights with household level support to enable caregivers to address the basic needs and rights of their children;

4) Defilement remains a major issue that is complicated by secrecy, stigma, and poverty. It is es-sential that no further harm is done to a child through reporting, community justice, or by using bribery or intimidation to convince law enforcement or families to drop charges; 5) To prevent al-ienation, approaches to changing damaging cultural practices (like early marriage for girls) must be addressed sensitively; and, 6) Domestic abuse and ambivalence about corporal punishment by care-givers remain major challenges. Expanding CBOs’ efforts to organize community sensitization ses-sions and invite local authorities to remind communities of the laws and potential repercussions of these violations may help to effectively address these concerns.

© 2011