The minister of Education and Sports, Janet Kataha Museveni has said that some parents and family members have become the perpetrators of violence against children during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
She made the remarks during a high level dialogue on youth issues in Entebbe.
The dialogue was held under the theme: “Positioning Urban Youth for Socioeconomic Transformation amidst the Covid-19 pandemic”.
According to Museveni, there has been a notable increase in cases of domestic violence, child abuse and teenage pregnancies during the Covid-19 lockdown period.
Given the economic fact that the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, she said many parents have to look for work hence leaving children alone at the hands of some careless house maids.
Museveni said the child protection unit has reported a rise in cases domestic violence among parents and the care givers which has made many young children more vulnerable during this period.
“Parents should try to give education to their children since they are now at home. There is so much that children can learn at home from their own parents,”she said.
She explained that for the children to flourish both physically and emotionally, communities must remember that children need safer place.
She noted children need to know and feel that the adults can keep them safe from all sort of calamities.
She said: “If children are to turn their full attention to the many demands of growing up, they need a secure, solid home where they feel safe and protected.”
She said parents must know that giving the children the same environment at home is very important because it allows them to go out with a lot of confidence.
The executive director of KCCA, Dorothy Kisaka, said it absurd to see some parents neglecting their responsibilities during this period.
She urged parents to treat each other respectfully where no physical or verbal violence is exhibited so that a good example is set before the children at home.
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