KAMPALA, Uganda — In a significant step towards addressing child hunger and malnutrition, World Vision Uganda, in partnership with the Joining Forces Coalition, hosted the National Children’s Parliament on July 26, 2024, at the Uganda Parliament Conference Hall. This initiative provided a crucial platform for children to voice their concerns and engage with key decision-makers on issues affecting their well-being.
Paul Mwirichia, Director Response and Acting National Director of World Vision Uganda, emphasized the importance of child participation in discussions about their welfare. “There is no better voice than the voice of children articulated by themselves. The National Children’s Parliament is therefore an extended opportunity for children to harness and engage with key decision-makers in torching light on issues that affect them beyond the informal spaces of engagement. In line with our mandate to ensure life in all its fullness for the most vulnerable children, World Vision continues to facilitate children with programs and initiatives that champion progress and better living, and today’s children’s parliament is one of them,” he stated.
The event focused on key issues such as the provision of consistent school meals, combating malnutrition, and addressing child hunger. These challenges have significantly impacted the health and development of children in Uganda. Despite the country’s fertile agricultural land, which has the capacity to feed 200 million people, only 35% of the arable land is currently under cultivation, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization.
In response to these challenges, World Vision has launched the “ENOUGH” campaign, aimed at ending child hunger in Uganda and across the continent. “The National Children’s Parliament is therefore an extended platform where all stakeholders can join hands, listen to the views of the children, and together table the best way forward in impacting children’s lives positively for today and the generations to come. Through the ENOUGH drive, we aim to impact over 5 million people across our areas of operation,” Mwirichia added.
Justus Rugambwa, Co-ordinator of the Joining Forces Coalition, also highlighted the necessity of involving children in matters that affect their lives. “At Joining Forces Coalition, we aim at securing the rights of children by supporting children’s safe and meaningful participation at local, national, regional, and global levels. As depicted today, enforcing the right of children to be heard is a reality that we appreciate and believe will promote collective child participation, involvement in issues that affect them, and influence key decisions that will promote improved child well-being in the long run,” Rugambwa concluded.
The National Children’s Parliament brought together key government officials, legislators, representatives from various NGOs, civil society organizations, educators, parents, and the general public. This diverse assembly of stakeholders demonstrated a unified commitment to addressing the challenges faced by children and finding sustainable solutions.
During the event, children from different regions of Uganda took the stage to share their experiences and suggestions on how to tackle hunger and malnutrition. Their insights and recommendations provided a powerful perspective on the urgency and importance of these issues. The children’s participation underscored the belief that those affected should have a say in the decisions and policies that impact their lives.
The event also served as a reminder of Uganda’s potential to eradicate child hunger and malnutrition. With the country’s abundant fertile land, there lies an opportunity to not only feed the nation but also support the well-being of millions of children. However, achieving this requires a concerted effort to increase land cultivation and improve agricultural practices.
Additionally, the forum highlighted the critical role of education and proper nutrition in children’s development. Ensuring consistent school meals is not merely about providing food but also about enabling children to learn and grow without the hindrance of hunger. The voices of children, amplified through the National Children’s Parliament, called for practical measures and policies to address these issues urgently.
As World Vision Uganda and the Joining Forces Coalition continue their efforts, the success of the National Children’s Parliament stands as a testament to what can be achieved when children are given the platform to speak and when their voices are heard by those in positions of power. The collaborative approach seen today offers hope for a future where children are not only heard but are integral in shaping the policies and actions that affect their lives.
In conclusion, the National Children’s Parliament has laid the foundation for a more inclusive and responsive approach to child welfare in Uganda. By addressing hunger, malnutrition, and other critical issues, and by giving children a voice in these matters, World Vision Uganda and the Joining Forces Coalition are paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for all children. The event marks a significant step forward in the collective effort to ensure every child in Uganda can live a life of fullness and dignity.
