Kampala, (UG):- The Minister Of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Hon Betty Amongi has launched the National Coalition to end child poverty in Uganda, another milestone and tool to address child poverty in the Ugandan society
The coalition launched at Serena Hotel in Kampala on 5th November is aligned to the National Child Policy (2020) and will complement government efforts in reducing child poverty and social exclusion according to Minister Amongi.
She noted that some of the coalition members are often deeply rooted in local communities, allowing them to have a more understanding of the specific challenges faced by children and families in poverty.
“This connection helps all of us to tailor and deliver interventions to the unique needs of the community. Secondly, collaboration through the national coalition fosters the exchange of ideas and promotes innovation,” Minister Amongi said.
She added that Uganda has a young population with children (0-19 years) comprising 24.7 million out of the total population of 45.9 million and the proportion rises to 63.5% when you consider children and youth (0-24 years).
She explained that the huge number of young people is both an opportunity for the county to unlock “demographic dividends” but could also turn into a “demographic time bomb” if the young people are unable to be educated and find decent work.
“Government recognizes the critical importance of ensuring children’s four cardinal rights to survival, development, protection and participation through a well-built and coordinated child care and protection system,” she added.
She says the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995) also provides the overriding national legal framework for ensuring that the rights of children and the general population are protected.
The Minister noted that Uganda has also ratified a number of other international and regional treaties, minimum rules, standards and guidelines, which uphold children’s rights and obligate that all feasible measures to protect and realize those rights are taken.
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