Child Labor and Childrens’ Rights for Welfare in Rural Areas of Kwanyiy Sub-county Kween District Uganda

ABSTRACT Employment of children in the rural areas is an enormous problem in many parts of the world. It is estimated that Sub—Saharan Africa follows Asia—Pacific in having the largest number of child workers with 48 million. This study therefore explored from an ethical point of view the relationship between child labor and children’s rights or welfare, as well as its effects on health, safety and education of the children involved. . The study also sought to suggest strategies in tackling the causes of child labour so as to tackle child labor

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL ii

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv

LIST OF TABLES x

ACRONYMS xi

ABSTRACT xiii

CHAPTER ONE 1

1.0 Introduction 1

1.1 Background of the study 2

1.2 Statement of the problem’ 3

1.3 Scope 3

1.4 Objectives of the Study 4

1 .4.1. Main Objective To investigate the different forms of child labor in Kwanyiy 4

1.4.2. Specific Objectives 4

1 .5 Research questions’ 4

1.6 Significance 4

CHAPTER TWO 5

LITERATURE REVIEW S

2.0 Introduction 5

2.1 .1 The different forms of child labor in Uganda 6

2.1.1.1 Forced or bonded child labor 6

2.1.1 .2 Apprenticeship 8

2.2 The relationship between child labor and children’s rights or welfare 9

2.2.1 Child labor and children’s rights 9

2.2.2 Physical Abuse and emotional abuse 10

2.2.3 Sexual Abuse and Child Prostitution 10

2.2.4 Sexual Health 11

2.2.5 Psychological Harm 11

V

2.2.6 Violence .11

2.3 What are the reasons for increment of child labor in the rural areas of Kwanyiy?l 1

2.3.1 Parental ignorance regarding the bad effects of child labor 11

2.3.2 Orphanage 12

2.3.3 The industrial revolution 1 2

2,3.4 High population growth rate’ 12

2.3.5 Poverty 12

2.3.6 Growing trends in HIV/AIDS’ 13

2.3.7 Vulnerability of childreir 13

2.3.8 Natural hazards wars and internal conflicts 13

2.3.9 Wars and internal conflicts 13

2.3.10 Socio cultural aspect’ 14

2.3.12 Single parenthood’ 14

2.3.13 Gender’ 15

2.3.15 Political factors’ 15

2.3.1 Effects of child labor administration in Kween 16

2.3.1.1 Negative effects’ 16

2.3.1.2 Health and safety hazards 16

2.3.1.4 Child trafficking’ 17

2.3.1.5 Schooldrop out: 17

2.3.1.6 Psychological work hazards:~18

2.3.1.7 Moral hazards’ 19

2.3.1.8 Commercial sexual exploitation’ 19

2.3.2. Positive effects of child labor .............,..,,,,,,.,..,,,,,.,..,......,,..,.,,,,,.,.,,,.....,,,,,,.,~.19

2.3.2.1 Socio cultural development ...................................,..,................................19

2.3.2.2 Moral development of the children....................................................................~.20

2.4. Possible Solutions for containing the situation of child labor~20

2.4.1 Giving loans to LDC’S to fight child labor. ..............................................................,....,20

2.4.2 The NGOs also have a big role to play in this regard 21

2.4.3 The Duty to update and enhance the general Understanding of Issues affecting Children2 1

2.4.5 Review existing programmes~22

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CHAPTER THREE .23

3.0 Introduction 23

3.1 Study design 23

3.1.1 Case study design 23

3. 1 .2 Descriptive design 23

3.2Studyarea 23

3.3 Population of study 24

3.4 Sample method and size’ 24

3.4.1 Sampling selection procedure 25

3.5.1 Pre -testing procedure 25

3.6 Data Sources 25

3.6.1 Primary Data 25

3.6.2 Secondary data 25

3.7 Data collection instruments 25

3.7.1 Questionnaires 26

3.7.2 Interviews 26

3.7.3 Research instruments’ 26

3.8. Data management 26

3.8,1 Data processing analysis’ 26

3.9 Ethical considerations 27

3.10 Limitations of the study 27

CHAPTER FOUR 28

PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS 28

4.0 Introduction 28

4.1 .1. Gender of respondents 28

4.1.2 Age of respondents 28

4.1.3 Size of the family of respondents 29

4.1.4 Respondents abode 29

4.1 .5 Commercial activities of the respondents 30

4.1.6 School attendance of the respondents 30

4.1.7 Reasons for missing school 31

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4.1 .8 Career aspirations of the working children 32

4.1.9 Daily earnings of the laborers 32

4.1.10 Night residence of respondents 33

4.1 .13 Major causes of child participation in child labor in Kwanyiy 34

4.1.14 Positive effects of children’s participation in child labor as viewed by the children and the

community 34

4.1.15 Negative effects of children’s participation in child labor in regards to the community

34

4,1.16 Institutions addressing child labor in Kwanyiy 35

4.1 .1 7 Principle goals of both the national and international institutions’ in regards to child

labor 35

4.1 .18 Way forward on reducing child labor in Kwanyiy 36

CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 37

5.0 Introduction 37

5.1 Strategies on how to reduce Child Labor 37

5.1.1 Obligation to serve children regardless of gender and place of birth’ 37

5.1.2 The Responsibility to Hold Paramount the Welfare of Children and Families 38

5.1.3 The Duty of Prioritising the Delivery of Services to Children 39

5.2 Recommendations foi’ combating child labor 44

5.2.1 A body of ethical principles against child labor 44

5.2.2 Composing the Ethical Principles 44

5.2.3 Subscribing to the Body of Ethical Principles 45

5.2.4 Educating the Ugandan Population about the Role of Ethical Principles against Child Labour

45

5.2.5 Political will of the state officials 45

5.2.6 Supportive National Political, Legal and Institutional Framework 45

5.2.7 Mass Awareness Programmes about Child Labour Laws and Policies 45

5.2.8 Increase budgetary allocation for government institution 46

5.2.9 Stake holder collaboration 46

5.2.10 Revise Universal Education Programme 47

5.2.11 Enforcement of Compulsory UPE 47

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5.2.12 Establishment of Community Polytechnics .47

5.2,2 Other recommendations that are not necessarily in line with the objectives have been listed

and these include; 48

5.2.2.1 The implementation of labor laws and also policies in Kwanyiy 48

5.2.2.2 Poverty reduction 48

REFERENCE BOOKS 49

APPENDICES QUESTIONARE FOR WORKING CHILDREN 52

APPENDIX A: WORK PLAN 55

APPENDIX B: BUDGET ESTIMATE 56

APPENDIX C: A MAP OF UGANDA SHOWIN 67