1. Children in Context Exploring the Karamoja context for the promotion of child rights

2. Overview Why is this important? Child rights in context Nature of childhood in Karamoja The agency of Karimojong children Protecting children in Karamoja Working within context to accord the rights of children in Karamoja

3. Why is this important? “Chronic Emergency” Human Development Index under 0.300 points, lower than Sierra Leone 1 More than 50% under 18 years Children as investment and security 1 Situation of Women and Children in Uganda Report, UNICEF 2005 and Human Development Report, UNDP 2007

4. Child rights in context Rights as a universal concept that must be applied contextually What rights mean for children “Do No Harm”

5. Child rights triangle CONTEXT

6. Nature of childhood in Karamoja How children develop differs in different contexts The story of Nakiru and Lokiru  Ere = manyatta = settlement  Awuyii = kraal = mobile camp

7. Karimojong Values Good man and good woman Respect for elders, parents, teachers Good behaviour to avoid problems Mind responsibilities Hard working  Education, study hard to get jobs

8. Agency of Karimojong children Responsibilities How children are heard  Kids say the most peculiar things How children contribute their opinions How children are agents in their own lives Role in out-migration Youth disciplinary committees

9. Child protection risks Insecurity Early marriage Child sexual abuse Out-migration Exploitive labour Female Genital Cutting

10. Child protection structures Formal system Informal system Links between the formal & informal Challenges in information Challenges in access, effectiveness, & accountability

11. Working within the context How do we build upon values to promote child rights in Karamoja? How do we encourage the participation and agency of children within this context? How do we work in an integrated manner to protect children? HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT ALL CHILDREN ENJOY THEIR RIGHTS?

12. ALAKARA NOI Jennifer Tang International Institute for Child Rights and Development jtiicrd@uvic.ca www.iicrd.org