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Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Increased child abuse in Uganda amidst COVID-19 pandemic
Quraish Sserwanja1, Joseph Kawuki2, Jean H Kim3
1Programmes Department, GOAL Global, Khartoum, Sudan.
Insights
The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in Uganda led to increased child abuse, including physical, sexual, and labor exploitation. Urgent multi-stakeholder cooperation is needed to enhance child protection services and support vulnerable children.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Child Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns globally increased child abuse and neglect.
- Limited research exists on the psychological impacts of the pandemic on children, especially in low-income nations.
- Uganda's stringent COVID-19 lockdown measures disrupted children's access to basic needs and social support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the rise in child abuse cases in Uganda during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To address the lack of data on child welfare in less developed regions during the pandemic.
- To highlight the psychosocial impacts of the pandemic on children in Uganda.
Main Methods:
- Compilation of data from government and child welfare organization open-source databases.
- Analysis of reported incidents of child abuse during the lockdown period.
- Review of psychosocial impacts on children's living conditions and access to essential services.
Main Results:
- Significant increase in physical and sexual abuse against children reported across Uganda.
- Rise in child labor cases observed during the COVID-19 lockdown.
- Disruption of access to food, healthcare, and social support heightened children's vulnerability.
Conclusions:
- Multi-level stakeholder cooperation is crucial for strengthening child protection.
- Increased funding, community awareness, and early detection are vital for managing child abuse.
- Effective management and referral systems are necessary to protect children during health crises.
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.
