Child rights governance
For every child, rights
The situation
In 1990, Uganda ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). This means Uganda has an obligation to ensure that all children – without discrimination in any form – benefit from special protection measures and assistance; have access to services such as education and health care; can develop their personalities, abilities and talents to the fullest potential; and are informed about, and participate in, achieving their rights in an accessible and active manner.
Uganda has also ratified other international and regional laws which uphold children’s rights. Following the ratification of the CRC and the other international and regional laws concerning children’s rights, Uganda passed the Children’s Act, and the Children’s Act Amendment Bill was assented to by the President in the first half of 2016.
Despite the solid legal framework, the lack of robust implementation of the legislation, as well as other structural barriers to implementing the laws, have not served children well. Millions continue to suffer widespread violations of their rights. More than a half of children under 5 and 38 percent of school-aged children live in poverty, deprived of many of their fundamental rights – for example, proper nutrition and health care, quality education, safe drinking water and protection from violence and abuse – at the same time.
Many of the problems children face today can also be attributed to poor governance, which is characterized by corruption, lack of capacity or political will and insufficient budget allocations.
UNICEF response
UNICEF strives to improve child rights governance by strengthening partnerships and building the capacity of national institutions and civil society to advance child rights. This will be done by:
- Strengthening Parliament’s oversight function and ability to promote meaningful participation of children and adolescents in national policy dialogue.
- Promoting independent human and child rights institutions and civil society participation in the monitoring of, and advocacy for, child rights.
- Reporting on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international and regional obligations related to child rights.
Expected result:
By 2020, Uganda will have domestic legislation and administrative guidance in accordance with the Concluding Observations of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Keeping children alive, safe and learning are the basic pillars of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Let us remind ourselves of children’s rights and commit to recognizing, respecting and realizing these rights for the children of Uganda
#InvestInUGchildren : Realize Uganda's Vision 2040
Resources
Learn more about about work - download our UNICEF Uganda Annual Report 2019
