Violence against Children (VAC) in Uganda is widespread and occurs in almost all settings. A 2005 study in five districts—Apac, Iganga, Kasese, Nakapiripirit and Wakiso—found that 98 percent (n=1,406) of the children (including in and out of school children, aged 8-18 years) interviewed had experienced physical or emotional violence; 76% had experienced sexual violence; and 74% had experienced economic violence, with 24% of the children indicating that the violence occurred at school
and an additional 34% indicating that it occurred both at home and in school (Naker, 2005).
The National Baseline survey of Basic Requirement and Minimum Standard (BRMS) conducted in 2010 by the Directorate of Education Standards (DES) with UNICEF also depicts the situation of great concern. 91% of P3 learner and 88% of P6 learners reported that beating was used as punishment. In addition, 9% of P3 and 13% of P6 pupils report defilement as a type of violence which takes place in their schools, while 6% of P3 pupils and 7% of P6 pupils report that sexual abuse (rape) happens in their schools. The students also reported other forms of violence including slapping, pinching, name calling, humiliation, mocking, teasing and shouting. The same survey found that the response to cases has not been robust in the majority of schools: only 33% of the schools referred cases of violence to the police for further action.
Another study commissioned by the MoES, in partnership with UNICEF, also depicted an alarmingly high level of prevalence of violence against children in schools. More than 77 % and 82 % of primary school and secondly school students respectively experienced sexual violence, including inappropriate touching. In addition, more than 70 % and 57 % of primary school and secondly school students respectively experienced beating in schools. Key recommendations of the study include the development an inter-sectoral committee to spearhead coordination, monitoring and implementation of VAC interventions in schools as well as the enhancement of reporting and referral mechanisms for VAC in schools.
To strengthen the protective environment for children, the Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) has been galvanising various actions including:
• Developing, printing and disseminating the MoES ‘Alternatives to Corporal Punishment’ guide to all primary schools in the country (2008/2009). • Developing and training all CCTs, inspectors and 35,100 teachers on the MoES Safe Schools Teachers’ Hand Book and Facilitator’s Guide (2010/2011FY). • Revising and disseminating the BRMS to all primary schools, training all CCTs and inspectors on BRMS, and the implementation of the BRMS coaching/mentoring programme in 15 PTCs (2009 – ongoing). • Working with partners to conduct a national study on safe schools in primary and secondary schools, to include violence against children, fires, lighting (2011 – ongoing). • Working with GEM (Girls Education Movement)
The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD) has been leading an effort to address all forms of violence against children and to support child survivors including:
• Developing, printing and disseminating the training manuals of MoGLSD/ IASC Child protection Sub-cluster in Uganda (2009) • Finalization of the National Plan of Action against Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (2011) • Amendment of Children Act (2012) • Child Helpline (ongoing) • Violence against Children Desk Review (2012 - ongoing) • Child Protection Mapping (2012- ongoing)
To address violence against children in schools in a more holistic and coordinated manner, the key lead Ministries, the MoES and the MoLSD, agreed on the need to establish an Inter-Sectoral Committee (ISC) to address VAC in and around schools. The two Ministries identified the following agencies to be invited as members of the ISC for VAC namely;
- The Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES)
- The Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MoGLSD)
- The Ministry of Internal Affairs
- The Child and Family Protection Unit (CFPU)
- The Ministry of Health
- The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs (MoJCA)
- The Ministry of Local Government
- The Justice, Law and Order Sector (JLOS) Secretariat
- National Planning Authority (NPA)
- Uganda Human Rights Commission
- National Council for Children
- Forum for Education NGOs in Uganda (FENU)
- The Inter-Religious Council
- UNICEF
- Key Outputs of Inter-Sectoral Committee on Violence against Children in and around School (VACiS)
To support the Inter-sectoral Committee on implementation of VAC in schools, it is necessary to recruit a consultant for 11 months, who will be hosted in MoES-TIET Department.
- Main Assignments of the Consultant
The consultant will work under the MoES with the support from the MGLSD, the Child Protection Specialist and the Basic Education Specialist in UNICEF’s SAFE and LEARNING Section working on VACiS
- Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment:
How to apply:
Qualified consultants are requested to submit:
a) One CV of the consultant
b) at least two PDF soft copies of similar work conductedPlease submit soft copies of the required document. In the email, use the subject title: “Strategic Plan and National Action Plan on Violence Against Children in and around School.” Shortlisting and recruitment will be conducted by MoES, MoLGSD and UNICEF.
Closing date for applications is 25 June 2013. Applicants interested in the above position should send their resume to: Human Resource Specialist, UNICEF Kampala, Uganda, Plot 9, George Street, PO Box 7047, Kampala Uganda Via email to: ugderecruit@unicef.org