Funder:  Terre des Hommes Netherlands

Implementing Partners:  Baba FM radio, District Probation offices Busoga region, Uganda police, Judiciary system of Uganda, religious leaders, child protection structures and schools in Busoga region.

Period : January 2013 – December 31^st 2015.

Project summary

SRRP Project is building on the foundations set out during implementation of CRRP

The goal of the project is to contribute to the reduction of child exploitation in Uganda through using the radio as a channel of communication to inform; educate and advocate for child rights and strengthen child protection systems in Jinja – Busoga Eastern Uganda. The project objectives include;

1. To create awareness among communities on child rights and child protection mechanisms,
2. To offer legal and psycho social support to victims of exploitation and vulnerable children,
3. To address child rights and child protection policies to be responsive child rights
4. To strengthen capacity of NEMACY UGANDA in Project implementation.

Achievements

• There is a reduction of child exploitation from 96.8% to 34.5% in Busoga sub-region. The following have caused such reduction to happen;
• Over 4 million people in Busoga region and beyond are now aware of rights of children and there are helping them to achieve their potential. This was a result of using media (radio) to inform, educate and advocate for the rights of children and youth.
• 4000 vulnerable children were supported and accessed psychosocial support such as medical care, scholastic materials, vocational school fees, food and other necessities and are now progressing well.
• 220 OVCs received legal support and were able to access justice and fairness.
• About 250 communities are ble to effectively handle and report cases of child abuse to high authorities. The LCs, Parishes and child community structures were mobilized and sensitized in promotion of child rights and protection mechanisms.
• The Parliament of Uganda initiated, debated and passed the amendment bill entitled the amendment of the Ant Witch craft bill 2013 into law. This was as a result of the petition and a dialogue with members of Parliament on rampant sacrifice of children in Uganda.
• 120 Schools now have child protection policy manual. The trainings received by SMCs and PTAs to promote and create sensitive learning environment yielded development of child protection policy in schools.
• 40 Child Rights clubs are in schools and functional. There are promoting child rights and protection mechanisms among their fell pupils.
• 582 (238 girls & 344 boys) Former street children and youth are respective members of the society. They received rehabilitation at NEMACY UGANDA rehabilitation transit center and re-integrated. Majority went back to schools and others are engaged in meaningful work from the skills they got during rehabilitation and are progressing well.
• There is improved reporting and effective response and follow up of child abuse cases by duty bearers. The introduction of a Child Telephone Helpline by NEMACY UGANDA where people beep and they get immediate response created an avenue and good practice in communities in reporting cases.
• Effective coordination (information sharing) amongst child rights protection actors exists and works. This has come as a result of capacity built in different actors through trainings and referral networks established in communities.
• Children are empowered to claim their rights from duty bearers without fear and fever. The formation of school child rights clubs, radio programmes and field trips informed them on their rights.