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Uganda's Parliament joins Civil Society Organisations to fight child abuse

05 Sep 2007 07:18:00 GMT
Source: Save the Children - Norway (Redd Barna)
Juliet Nabwire

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Mrs Jolly Nyeko(left) chairperson Uganda Child Rights NGO Network and Honourable Ruth Tuma chairperson Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children sign the memorandum of understanding at the Parliament of Uganda

Uganda Parliamentary Forum for Children (UPFC) a non-partisan all party parliamentary group yesterday(August 29) signed a memorandum of understanding with child focused Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to advocate for the rights of and a favourable policy and legislative regime for children The CSOs which include Uganda Child Rights NGO Network, (UCRNN), African Network for Prevention and Protection against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN)Uganda Chapter and Save the Children in Uganda (SCiU) will among various tasks: Monitor child rights situation in the country and regularly feed information to the UPFC especially where it requires action by the legislative body. To enable child participation in all issues concerning children's welfare, the organisations will act as a link with UPFC to facilitate the children in articulating their issues with the legislature. UPFC on the other hand will be required to act as a link between the CSOs and Parliament in providing regular information on bills, debates and other issues related to children. The parliamentarians are also required to promote the understanding and appreciation of government commitments to international and regional conventions (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of Children) and to regularly track international trends and ensure that emerging conventions get incorporated and domesticated. The signing of the memorandum of understanding is an indication that UPFC is serious about putting children's issues first on the country's legislative agenda. Honourable Ruth Tuma UPFC chairperson said, "We need each other for the welfare of the children. Uganda has already set the pace in the region by having a parliamentary body dedicated to the cause of children. We therefore need this partnership to put children's issues first on the legislative agenda." In her remarks, Mrs Jolly Nyeko, Chairperson UCRNN commended the CSOs and UPFC for the commitment. "This is yet another step in the fight against child abuse and neglect. Uganda always takes the lead; this is the first of its kind. This is a unique legacy in advocating for the wellbeing of our children," she said. To the Parliamentarians she said there should be concrete change when the legislature and community work together. "CSOs need you, Uganda needs you and the children need you. We need one another working together for the well being of children," she stated. UCRNN has about 428 members addressing different child rights issues and targeting different categories of children in the various parts of the country. The UPFC is a non-partisan all party parliamentary group formed during the 7th Parliament to put issues of children on the priority of Parliament. UPFC members who are about 128 now, share a strong conviction that as elected representatives, they are obliged to protect and promote the interests of the children

[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Last updated:Wed Sep 5 07:55:32 2007