Minister urges locals to initiate laws to fight child marriages
Nov 23, 2018
Sibenaler added that the maternal health has been worsened by the continued practice of female genital mutilation among the Pokot, Tepeth and Kadam people in spite of anti-FGM legislation.
POPULATION
The minister for Karamoja affairs Moses Kizige has called for sensitisation and increased formulation of local ordinances that will address child marriages, female genital mutilation at all district and sub-county levels in Karamoja.
He said it was crucial to create an equitable and just future for our children by addressing issues of violence against women and girls.
Kizige was speaking on Thursday evening during the launch of Karamoja leaders' forum on population, health and development held at the Moroto district chamber hall.
The four-year United Nations Populations Fund (UNFPA) 8TH country programme will be implemented in collaboration with districts in Karamoja.
The minister said the Government remains firm in its commitment to ensure no one is left behind in development.
Kizige urged leaders to focus on vulnerable groups including children, women and youth.
"This is reflected in various national policies and commitment to the agenda 2030," he noted.
Kizige added that sustainable goals place emphasis on the roles of local governments.
Hence governance, poverty reduction, access to health, education and development of human settlements among others.
Therefore, the minister asked local governments to clear processes for defining and monitoring strategies for attaining the sustainable development goals.
Kizige called upon the district leadership to appreciate the uniqueness of their districts.
"Your communities await your inspiration to change for the better. We would not want Karamoja to get lost in the crowd of expectancy," he said.
Alain Sibenaler, the UNFPA representative said, high fertility and child dependency have made the region the least developed.
"Though the country has made tremendous strides in reducing maternal mortality rate [MMR] ratio from529 per 100,000 live births in 1995 to 336, Karamoja MMR remains persistently higher at 588 per 100,000 live births as compared to the national average," he noted.
Sibenaler added that the maternal health has been worsened by the continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation(FGM) among the Pokot, Tepeth and Kadam people in spite of anti-FGM legislation.
He said his organisation will ensure no one is left behind in the development of Karamoja.
In his remarks, the district chairperson Moroto Andrew Napaja said, Karamoja was doing badly in terms of poverty.
"It seems we are not achieving in terms of poverty," he said.
He advised parents against allowing boys who do not have money to build houses or marry to play with their daughters.
"These are people who are increasing population without cause. They produce and jump on another hence no proper care for children in villages," Napaja said.
At the event, various people including chief administrative officers, residents district commissioners and Police voiced their calls against gender based violence in their respective districts.