Grapevine

91 per cent of children in Western Uganda say no to sex, bad touches – report

A recent study has shown that 91 per cent of teen girls in Kabarole, Kyenjojo, and Bunyangabu districts are saying no to early sex and moving away if someone touches them inappropriately.

The study, titled "The Prevention of and Response to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Western Uganda," was conducted by Bantwana Initiative Uganda, KUWAZA III-Zanzibar, and the International Center for Research on Women.

Speaking at the dissemination of the study via Zoom on August 21, Ms Kirabo Suubi, a Gender Economist and project lead investigator, said the study aimed to assess the post-intervention knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, agency, and intentions/behaviours related to mitigating risk exposure to CSA and exploitation.

“The study aimed at assessing the post-intervention knowledge, perceptions, attitudes, agency, and intentions/behaviours related to mitigating risk exposure to CSA and exploitation, including reporting and help-seeking in 10 SAFE Model intervention and four control schools, and assessing the extent to which the SAFE intervention is relevant to addressing the CSA problem,” she said.

A total of 707 children including; 329 boys and 378 girls, were interviewed during the baseline phase where 95 per cent reported that they say no to sex and bad touches, a number which was reduced by four per cent during the final phase.