SGBV is any act that is perpetuated against a person’s will based on gender norms and unequal power relationships. It is an attack on the victim. It may be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or denial of access to resources or services. It includes threats of violence and coercion that inflict harm on women, girls, children, and disabled because of who they are. Violence against children is any form of physical, emotional, psychological, malnutrition, child neglect and exploitation of children under 18 years thus leading to violation of their several human rights.

Since the inception of Covid 19, there has been escalated violation of human rights due to SGBV and VAC and the most affected are children and young girls. There has been abdication of responsibilities which has led to child neglect. The increase in sexual violence against teens has led to early pregnancies, unsafe abortion, and forced early marriages during Covid 19 lockdown. 

The baseline survey conducted in early September 2021 by CAH indicates that there is increase in violence against children, women and teens during Covid 19 pandemic lockdown in Kilembe and Mbunga sub counties than ever. About 100 young girls have been impregnated, defiled and forcefully married off by their parents. The teens have been redundant at home for long time, a situation that has subjected them to bad social behaviors like alcoholism, drug abuse, sexual indulgence and child labor.

Since May to August, 2021 over 200 teens were impregnated in Busongora Constituency South in its five sub counties among which Kilembe and Mbunga are leading with highest number of victims. 

The primary targeted beneficiaries of this project are 400 school going children of age 7-18 years and 300 adolescents out of school between 13-25 years in the parishes of Mbunga, Bunyandiko, Kibandama, Nyakazinga, and Ngangyi. The project will work with 10 primary schools, eight churches, four preprimary schools in Mbunga and Kilembe sub counties. 

The project will target 300 parents and caregivers, 30 primary teachers, 20 VHTs, 20 pear educators, 10 members of PTA (school management teams). The project will also target local leaders at village and parish levels, religious leaders, village center leadership and sub county leadership among others. The project will also reach out to community groups like, Women and Youth led groups among others

Objectives

1. To improve on the parenting skills of parents and care givers in Kilembe and Mbunga sub counties
2. To build resilience to VAC and SGBV among teens and children
3. To transform negative cultural norms and practices that perpetuate SGBV and VAC
4. To empower children and teens to speak out every time they are faced by all forms of VAC and SGBV
5. To strengthen safe and enabling environment in homes, schools and community free from violence against children and teens in Mbunga and Kilembe sub counties.
6. To strengthen the capacity of local council committees, religious leader committees and youths to fight violence against children and teens and all forms of SGBV in Mbunga and Kilembe sub counties