Pupils are calling for lessons about children rights

Pupils want government and organizations that advocate for children's rights to step-up efforts to ensure they reach all primary schools across the country to teach them about their rights.

They say it is so important for children to understand their rights right from the early stages so that they grow up with this information in their heads.

Nakawuki Faith and Namusisi Esther, pupils at jesJonny Primary school in Mukono made the call during the launch of HAKI FOR ALL (rights for all) media club, an initiative by High sound for children, Uganda Child Rights NGO network and Grace Machel Trust aims at teaching children about their rights.

According to them, all children in the country and world at large deserve to exercise their rights which include, the right to live, right to health, right to education, right to speak, right to shelter to mention but a few.

They add that despite efforts made by both government and Child Rights organizations towards ensuring there is no violation of child rights; individuals, parents, guardians, and relatives have continued to violate children's rights.

‘’ Many of children have been denied to go to school, many of them have been tortured by their stepmothers, many have been raped and sent off in marriage at an early age among others. Nakawuki and Namusisi noted.

The two also noted that protecting children to enjoy their rights by leaders in the community should be prioritized.

 Meanwhile, Kiisa Bildad, school manager at JesJonny Primary school is optimistic that the launched club will touch the real core of child rights, therefore its will play a big role in educating children about their rights as well as improving on academic performance

For her part, Patricia Osman the executive director for High Sound for Children-SCH has noted that this Project HAKI FOR ALL which loosely translates as Rights for all in Swahili interests the children about their rights, what to do in case any of their rights have been violated or abused, where to go, who to talk too, what to say among others.

According to her, once the children are empowered with this knowledge at an early age, then the children of course will be able to stand for themselves at any given time in case there is a violation or abuse and it is very important that children know their rights right from their early stages of life.

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