| dc.description.abstract | The study focused of establishing the relationship between child labour policies and child
development in Masindi District. It was guided by the following objectives: To establish the
relationship between the National Child Labour Policy on Child Development in Masindi
District; To find out the relationship between the Children’s Statute of 1996 and Child
Development in Masindi District; and, to assess the relationship between the Children's Act 2003
on Child Development in Masindi District. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design
was adopted to assess the relationship between the variables. The study population comprised of
the parents, district officials and NGO staff. It reached a total of 357 (out of 363) respondents
and 14 (out of 15) key informants making a response rate of 95.8%. It was found out that Child
labour policies were being implemented in Masindi District. Further, the Family and Children’s
Court (FCC) existence at community in Masindi was found to be a mechanism that would curb
child (labour) abuse at the grass root level if well functional and active in handling related cases.
It was also revealed that the secretary receives is obliged to summon perpetuators of child labour
for discussion and reconciliation of the cases in the best interest of the child. More still, it was
realized that Children’s Act was streamlined with the Social Development Sector Strategic
Investment Plan with prospects of promoting equal opportunities. The study recommended the
creation of greater awareness about the dangers of child labour at all levels of society to inform
the public about its dangers. Also, nurturing social alliance was found to be a unification factor
of all stakeholders fighting against child labour as coupled with extending services of the Uganda
Child Helpline as an integral part of the national child protection system. Also, conducting
researcher on matters pressing children would highly improve children development efforts at all
levels. The study further recommended that building institutional capacity at all levels of
government would support child development. It was thus established that adoption of childoriented systems in recognition of children’s wellbeing should prioritized. Conclusively, national
child labour policies provide a platform that addresses vulnerability index of children, neutralizes
inequality and prohibits exclusion and discrimination to enable the child enjoy their childhood,
grow properly, attain education, get empowered and be protected against any form of abuse.
Proper implementation of the policies would necessitate and support community development in
Masindi District and other parts of the country. | en_US |
