Increased child abuse in Uganda amidst COVID‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Globally, COVID‐19 lockdown measures have exposed children to more sexual, physical and emotional abuse and neglect. Although the COVID‐19 pandemic is likely to have long‐lasting adverse psychological effects on children, there have been comparatively few studies on children's health as compared with adults, particularly in low‐income countries. Uganda implemented one of the most stringent lockdowns with bans on transportation and gatherings as well as the closure of schools, stores and places of worship. In order to address the dearth of information in less developed regions, the article aims to provide an insight into the increased cases of child abuse in Uganda during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The data and information were primarily compiled from government and child welfare organisation open‐source databases. The psychosocial impacts of COVID‐19 have greatly disrupted the living conditions of children, limiting their access to basic needs such as food and health care. In addition, there is a lack of social support, thus putting children at an increased risk of different forms of child abuse. Since the implementation of the COVID‐19 lockdown in Uganda, there has been a rise in the incidence of child abuse. Increased cases of physical and sexual abuse against children have been reported in different parts of the country as well as increased cases of child labour. To strengthen child protection during the COVID‐19 pandemic, this article highlights a need for multi‐level stakeholder cooperation to ensure increased funding, increased community awareness and sensitisation, early detection and effective management and referral of child abuse cases.

Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on The Education and Psychosocial Wellbeing of School-Going Children in Bududa District, Uganda

“…The high number of children reporting physical abuse from parents could possibly be due to the highly sensitive nature of children to minor domestic issues (31,32) and cases of disciplining by caning which are common in the communities. However, during the pandemic, children were at a risk of abuse because of the absence of social support and economic hardships leading to high stress levels among the parents (33). Shockingly, when children were reportedly abused, help was sought from parents with none seeking help from non-government organisations which may have probably stemmed from the absence of such bodies or distrust the communities have in the existing ones.…”

“…The study was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki and the principles of Good Clinical Practice. All participants were required to provide a written informed consent and assent before participating in the interviewed reportedly engaged in different kinds of work during the lock down to support their families during the pandemic (29,33).…”

What we have learnt about trauma, loss and grief for children in response to COVID-19

“…The available evidence shows that restrictive measures taken to contain the COVID-19 pandemic have been accompanied by increased violence against children and women in both resource-rich [9] , [10] and resource-poor countries [11] . Calls to child help-lines have risen markedly during the pandemic in most but not all countries.…”

Introduction: Covid‐19 and the conditions and struggles of agrarian classes of labour

“…3 The little work that did come labourers' way was paid with lower wages, more slowly, and sometimes not paid at all. Preliminary studies of Uganda have also indicated increased violence against children and disproportionate material impacts on women (Rafaeli & Hutchinson, 2020;Ssweranja et al, 2020).…”