Joy for Children Uganda run “Good school” programme in schools of the Rwenzori region. The schools are mobilized to start child rights clubs aimed at sensitizing their fellow children, teachers, parents and the community about violation of children rights with child marriage taking a centre stage as the major cause for school drop out especially among girls in the region. It has also implementing Girls Not Brides Empower Project that works to keep girls to remain in school, sensitize the community on danger of child marriages and economically empowers vulnerable families to prevent children. The project is being piloted in Karangura sub county Kabarole district. Kaana Foundation a local Organization based in the Rwenzori region runs a “girl child accessing school” programme in the Rwenzori region. This program is all inclusive as the community is mobilized, teachers are motivated, and the school administration is encouraged to make routine monitoring of the girls that enroll in their schools until completion. The school children are also involved in the activities of the program. This is strategically done because people assume that education priority should be for boys. Raising voices in partnership with local Non-Government Organizations is piloting a project “Girls Education Challenge” in four districts of Uganda- Kabarole, Kampala, Luwero and Lira. The project is aimed at enabling marginalized girls access school, stay in school and complete to attain quality learning out comes to increase and improve their life chances. Agape of Hope Female Youth Development Association a local Non- Government Organization operating in Kasese district is working to improve the lives of the young women by empowering them with non-formal skills and educates them about their reproductive health and rights. Several other civil society organizations and Non-Government Organizations in Uganda commemorate special days for children especially girls – Day of African Child (DAC) commemorated every 16th June of every year, International Day of the Girl Child commemorated every 11th October of government
The marriage to a much older – sometimes even elderly – man is a practice common in some societies. In traditional societies in Uganda, a man is given another wife (a sister to the first wife) from the same family if the first one is dead or disabled. In the case of a girl in Rwebisengo Sub county Ntoroko district is one of many cases of girls who are married off at a very young age due to traditions. In 2011, a thirteen-year-old girl’s secondary education was terminated and married off to a 40-year-old man in order for the family to maintain traditional ties. The previous wife of the man had died of AIDS! This was in arrangement with the local leaders and girl’s parents. In other traditional societies – where infant mortality was very high and survival depended on a family’s ability to produce its own food or goods for sale – child marriage helped to maximize the number of pregnancies and ensure enough surviving children to meet household labour needs (Mathur 2003). Socio-cultural and religious values In communities where child marriage is prevalent, there is strong social pressure on families to conform. Failure to conform can often result in ridicule, disapproval or family shame. Invariably, local perceptions on the ideal age for marriage, the desire for submissive wives, extended family patterns and other customary requirements, are all enshrined in local customs or religious norms. In many contexts child marriage is legitimized by patriarchy, and related family structures, which ensure that marriage transfers a father’s role over his girl child to her future spouse. The marriage or betrothal of children in some parts of Uganda is valued as a means of consolidating powerful relations between families, for sealing deals over land or other property, or even for settling disputes (UNIFPA, 2006). Value of virginity and protection of young girls Early marriage is one way to ensure that a wife is protected, or placed firmly under male control; that she is submissive to her husband and works hard for her in-laws’ household; that the children she bears are legitimate, (UNICEF 2001; Mathur, 2003 and Nour 2006). On the other hand, for many societies that prize virginity before marriage, early marriage can manifest itself in a number of practices designed to ‘protect’ a girl from unsanctioned sexual activity. In the eastern and north eastern
Recommendations As child marriage is common among illiterates and marginalized groups, community networks and vigilant groups comprising all concerned stake holders can be formed and mobilized to intervene in programmes to end child marriage. Empower the youth to manage their sexual and reproductive issues through different approaches i.e. peer-to-peer approach, comprehensive sexuality education in schools, life skills based education, youth information centers. Child marriage is a worst form of Gender-based violence, programmes such as “go back to school” focusing on enrolling and retaining girls in schools until they complete and attain quality learning outcomes should be maintained among communities. Ending child marriage requires consolidated efforts of all organizations and stake holders including government, civil society organizations, Non-government organizations, Faith Based organizations and Community Based organizations. Therefore, networks, coordination and collaboration of all different stake holders and organizations from community to national level should be strengthened. There is urgency need to roll out the policies, bylaws, programmes and strengthen the linkage between the lower local governments at the village level to district level to revamp and enforce them for the protection of children from all forms of abuse and exploitation. There is also need to strengthen networking, operationalisation, systematic documentation, referral mechanism and follow up on the cases of abuse, improved coordination among key actors and advocates for protection of children. The government and other organizations should put emphasis on supporting schools with scholastic materials; carry out refresher