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A dramatic entry and emotional exit of an impactful project
Posted on: 30th September, 2024 By: NRDO Uganda 7 min read
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Uganda has seen a sharp rise of child labour cases. According to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS), the percentage of children aged 5-17 engaged in child labor rose from 14% in 2016/17 to 39.5% (approximately 6.2 million children) in 2021. Globally, the situation of child labor remains a pressing issue. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF, as of 2021, an estimated 160 million children worldwide were engaged in child labor.
To curb the increasing rate of child labour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands provided resources and supported 6 countries (Cote d’Ivoire, Jordan, India, Uganda, Vietnam, and Mali) from 2019 to 2024, under the project known as “Work: No Child’s Business” (WNCB). The WNCB project in Uganda, was implemented in 3 districts namely Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Busia districts. The project was led by Hivos with partners like UNATU (Uganda National Teachers Union), NRDO-U (Nascent Research and Development Organization Uganda), EWAD (Environmental Women in Action for Development), and Save the Children.
The WNCB Project has had many achievements in Uganda, like skilling over 100 youths, supporting over 200 households through group savings, household income generation, increase in school enrollment, withdrawing over 1,000 children from child labour, construction of the first primary school in Nanyidik called “Nanyidik Primary School” found in Rupa sub county within Moroto district and mobilizing the community of Timingorok found in Tapac sub county within Moroto district to build the first school in the area. This directly contributes to SDG 8.7 which aims to ensure that children and youth are free from child labor and enjoy their rights to quality education and (future) decent work.
Despite the many successes and achievements, the WNCB project faced many challenges in the beginning that made it so difficult to penetrate through the communities, but as time went on through a variety of strategies, like the use of the area-based approach and other Social and Behavior Change (SBC) activities, dialogues, etcetera, the communities understood the message and recognized the dangers of child labour. One would say it was a dramatic entry into the communities and an emotional exit now that the project has ended when the once resistant communities have now embraced the project and joined the fight against child labour.
The project exit events started at the community level, where a number of sub county officials from implementing districts were engaged to make sure that what was achieved is not lost and to keep lobbying for their communities for more opportunities. A district level exit event was also organized and was attended by district officials from Nakapiripirit, Moroto and Busia districts. In attendance was the Member of Parliament for Matheniko county, Hon. Dr. John Lokii as the chief guest. He commended WNCB development partners for the job well done and pledged to keep supporting the children in Nanyidik Primary school where he donated school uniforms among other things.
The national close-out or exit meeting was held at Kabira Country Club in Kampala and a number of officials from different agencies, ministries, civil society organizations and other sectors were in attendance. It was a day of celebration for the many achievements, including a 5% reduction in child labour in the WNCB communities of implementation, among children aged 5-17, dropping from 56% at the programme’s inception to 51% by 2024 as highlighted by the end-line report of the project. Additionally, there has been a 7.3% increase in school attendance among children aged 5-17 years, rising from 71.6% at the baseline survey to 78.9% in 2024.
Hon. Peter Lokeris, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, speaking at the WNCB national exit event, commended the progress in combating child labour. Mr. Hillary Businge, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Labour Productivity, emphasized the government’s efforts to reinforce labour laws and policies, including The National Child Labour Policy, National Employment Policy, and the National Plan of Action for Elimination of Child Labour.
The deputy Dutch Ambassador to Uganda, Joost van Ettro hailed the Ugandan government for its support and the readiness to work with the WNCB consortium to tackle child labor. He also said that the Netherlands government is committed to continued support of efforts aimed at addressing child labour and its root causes by providing lasting solutions.
Juliet Wajega, the WNCB Country Coordinator, noted that poverty and inadequate access to education exacerbate child labour cases in Karamoja. Bad cultural norms are also to blame with parents expecting children to provide for their families. “We’ve laid the groundwork, but the fight continues. Sustaining these gains and scaling up efforts is crucial.” Juliet added.
To curb the increasing rate of child labour, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands provided resources and supported 6 countries (Cote d’Ivoire, Jordan, India, Uganda, Vietnam, and Mali) from 2019 to 2024, under the project known as “Work: No Child’s Business” (WNCB). The WNCB project in Uganda, was implemented in 3 districts namely Moroto, Nakapiripirit and Busia districts. The project was led by Hivos with partners like UNATU (Uganda National Teachers Union), NRDO-U (Nascent Research and Development Organization Uganda), EWAD (Environmental Women in Action for Development), and Save the Children.
The WNCB Project has had many achievements in Uganda, like skilling over 100 youths, supporting over 200 households through group savings, household income generation, increase in school enrollment, withdrawing over 1,000 children from child labour, construction of the first primary school in Nanyidik called “Nanyidik Primary School” found in Rupa sub county within Moroto district and mobilizing the community of Timingorok found in Tapac sub county within Moroto district to build the first school in the area. This directly contributes to SDG 8.7 which aims to ensure that children and youth are free from child labor and enjoy their rights to quality education and (future) decent work.
Despite the many successes and achievements, the WNCB project faced many challenges in the beginning that made it so difficult to penetrate through the communities, but as time went on through a variety of strategies, like the use of the area-based approach and other Social and Behavior Change (SBC) activities, dialogues, etcetera, the communities understood the message and recognized the dangers of child labour. One would say it was a dramatic entry into the communities and an emotional exit now that the project has ended when the once resistant communities have now embraced the project and joined the fight against child labour.
The project exit events started at the community level, where a number of sub county officials from implementing districts were engaged to make sure that what was achieved is not lost and to keep lobbying for their communities for more opportunities. A district level exit event was also organized and was attended by district officials from Nakapiripirit, Moroto and Busia districts. In attendance was the Member of Parliament for Matheniko county, Hon. Dr. John Lokii as the chief guest. He commended WNCB development partners for the job well done and pledged to keep supporting the children in Nanyidik Primary school where he donated school uniforms among other things.
The national close-out or exit meeting was held at Kabira Country Club in Kampala and a number of officials from different agencies, ministries, civil society organizations and other sectors were in attendance. It was a day of celebration for the many achievements, including a 5% reduction in child labour in the WNCB communities of implementation, among children aged 5-17, dropping from 56% at the programme’s inception to 51% by 2024 as highlighted by the end-line report of the project. Additionally, there has been a 7.3% increase in school attendance among children aged 5-17 years, rising from 71.6% at the baseline survey to 78.9% in 2024.
Hon. Peter Lokeris, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, speaking at the WNCB national exit event, commended the progress in combating child labour. Mr. Hillary Businge, Assistant Commissioner in charge of Labour Productivity, emphasized the government’s efforts to reinforce labour laws and policies, including The National Child Labour Policy, National Employment Policy, and the National Plan of Action for Elimination of Child Labour.
The deputy Dutch Ambassador to Uganda, Joost van Ettro hailed the Ugandan government for its support and the readiness to work with the WNCB consortium to tackle child labor. He also said that the Netherlands government is committed to continued support of efforts aimed at addressing child labour and its root causes by providing lasting solutions.
Juliet Wajega, the WNCB Country Coordinator, noted that poverty and inadequate access to education exacerbate child labour cases in Karamoja. Bad cultural norms are also to blame with parents expecting children to provide for their families. “We’ve laid the groundwork, but the fight continues. Sustaining these gains and scaling up efforts is crucial.” Juliet added.
Last updated on: 30th October, 2024
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