Thousands Celebrate International Day of the Girl Child in Jinja District, Highlighting Rising Child Abuse in Busede Sub County

Jinja District, Uganda – 12th October 2024:
Thousands of people from Jinja District and Jinja City joined the global community today to mark the International Day of the Girl Child at Busede Sub County Headquarters in Jinja District. The event, which focused on the escalating violence against children, particularly girls, was attended by a cross-section of leaders and stakeholders.

Among the key dignitaries present were the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Jinja District, representatives from the Uganda Police, the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, representatives from CRVPF (the event’s funder), and members of civil society organizations (CSOs), schools, and local leaders.

The celebrations came in response to the increasing levels of child abuse in Busede Sub County, which has seen a rise in child-headed households. Children in these communities frequently face sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, with many deprived of basic protection and care.

In her speech, Salma Babu, the Regional Program Coordinator for the Girl Power Program and a representative of CRVPF, emphasized the importance of supporting organizations already working to protect children in these vulnerable communities. She urged government officials and local leaders to continue collaborating with these groups, stating that any additional funding should prioritize organizations within the Omwana Cluster and the Busede Safe Child Cluster, which are spearheading initiatives to combat child abuse.

“Child-headed homes are a growing concern, and violence against children remains alarmingly high. It is essential that local leaders and the government of Uganda continue to support the existing efforts of community organizations in Busede. If more funding becomes available, I strongly recommend that organizations from Omwana Cluster and Busede Safe Child Cluster are prioritized for their ongoing work in these challenging environments,” Babu said.

The event served as a platform to raise awareness about the critical need to protect vulnerable children, especially girls, and called for collective efforts from both the government and civil society to curb the rising abuse cases in the region.

Local leaders and CSOs reaffirmed their commitment to addressing child abuse, advocating for stronger community-based interventions, and enhancing the capacities of families to care for children in child-headed households.

The International Day of the Girl Child is observed annually on 12th October, focusing on the challenges and opportunities faced by girls around the world. In Busede, these celebrations have taken on a renewed urgency, as the community continues to grapple with the significant issues affecting its youngest and most vulnerable members.