Child Safety Advocacy Report by GID Africa
Child Safety Advocacy Report by GID Africa
By: Kawalya Sharifu, Lukaya Sub-County, Kalungu District
Title:
Protecting Innocence: GID Africa’s Child Safety and Rights Advocacy in the Villages of Kilinnya, Mwotta, and Bulingo
Introduction
Child safety remains one of the most urgent issues in many Ugandan communities today. In Lukaya Sub-County, Kalungu District, the vulnerability of children to abuse, neglect, and exploitation continues to threaten their dreams and well-being.
As part of our ongoing mission, Girl Impact Dynamic Africa (GID Africa) launched a Child Safety and Rights Advocacy Campaign across the villages of Kilinnya, Mwotta, and Bulingo with the goal of raising awareness, listening to community experiences, and building safer spaces for every child.
Campaign Overview
The campaign was conducted over several weeks through:
Community dialogues with parents, teachers, and local leaders
School visits and child-to-child discussions
Door-to-door outreach for families with vulnerable children
Workshops emphasizing child protection laws and reporting mechanisms
Our advocacy team, led by Kawalya Sharifu, engaged with more than 450 children and 300 adults, creating platforms for open conversation about child rights, safety from abuse, and the power of community protection.
Findings and Real-Life Experiences
During the campaign, heartbreaking realities emerged stories that cannot be ignored.
In Kilinnya, we met children who walk long distances to school alone, exposed to potential dangers.
In Mwotta, some young girls shared experiences of domestic violence, forced labor, and emotional neglect within their homes.
In Bulingo, the team discovered cases where children dropped out of school due to early responsibilities or fear of harassment.
These encounters opened our eyes to the deep-rooted issues of poverty, lack of awareness, and weak family support systems that put children’s safety at risk. Yet, they also revealed resilience and hope children who still dream of a brighter, safer future.
Lessons Learned
Community participation is key: Real change happens when parents, teachers, and leaders work together to protect children.
Education is protection: Empowering children with knowledge about their rights builds confidence and helps them seek help.
Support systems matter: Local child protection committees and school clubs are powerful tools in monitoring and preventing abuse.
Continuous follow-up is essential: Many cases require long-term mentorship and psychosocial support for both children and families.
Impact of the Campaign
Over 700 people reached directly through advocacy activities.
10 community child protection volunteers trained to monitor vulnerable households.
3 schools established “Child Safety Corners” where children can report issues confidentially.
Positive collaboration with local council leaders who pledged to strengthen community by-laws against child abuse.
Emotional Reflection
“The most painful moment was listening to a 10-year-old say, ‘I want to be safe when I go home.’ It reminded us why our work matters. Every child deserves peace, safety, and a voice that is heard.”
Kawalya Sharifu, GID Africa Child Safety Lead
The Way Forward
GID Africa is committed to extending the Child Safety Campaign to more rural communities in Kalungu and neighboring districts. We aim to:
Establish safe child clubs in every school we partner with
Provide training for parents and community leaders
Support vulnerable children with counseling, education materials, and protection monitoring
Call to Action
Every child deserves a childhood free from fear.
You can be part of this movement to protect and empower children in Uganda.
Support GID Africa today through donations, partnership, or volunteering.
Together, let’s build a community where every child is safe, heard, and loved.