AFRICHILD MONTHLY MONITOR - SEPTEMBER

OUR RESEARCH WORK

The AfriChild Centre held an inception Multi-Sectoral Research Uptake Forum meeting, gathering experts to review child well-being research in Uganda and Africa. The forum seeks to align research with government priorities and promote its use across sectors. Key objectives include regularly reviewing child well-being research, providing technical input to ensure quality and alignment with national frameworks, promoting the uptake of findings, and overseeing the National Child-Focused Research Agenda. Participants include representatives from government ministries, academia, parliament, World Health Organisation, UNICEF, international NGOs, and child-focused civil society organisations.

Our Executive Director, Mr. Timothy Opobo, and Research Coordinator, Mr. John Bosco Apota, met with officials from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to introduce the STRYIDE Project, which addresses youth unemployment and early childhood development (ECD) gaps. In partnership with UNICEF Uganda, we are conducting a needs assessment to improve access to ECD services. This assessment will engage key stakeholders at all levels to identify gaps, understand community needs, and explore youth interest in the ECCE sector. We express our gratitude to KCCA for their collaboration and guidance and look forward to advancing this important initiative together.

Currently, of the 4.6 million children aged 3-5 years, an alarming 84% lack access to quality ECD services, with only 16% enrolled in licensed centres. To address this challenge, we are conducting a comprehensive needs assessment in four districts: Madi Okollo, Terego, Kampala, and Isingiro. This assessment aims to identify gaps in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services, evaluate the demand for parent-supported programs, and gauge youth interest in ECCE careers. In September, we trained 17 Research Assistants for upcoming data collection in these districts. This training is part of the STRYIDE project implemented in partnership with UNICEF and was attended by UNICEF Uganda's ECD Manager, Nada Elattar. The data gathered will inform strategies to expand access to quality early childhood education across Uganda.

The AfriChild Centre, in collaboration with The Remnant Generation (TRG), is advancing research on the 3RT Model (Rescue, Restore, Repurpose, Thrive) to combat child violence in Uganda. We recently trained 171 Research Assistants in Busega and Lyantonde for data collection. TRG’s safe spaces in Lyantonde have reduced child marriages, while Busega’s drug-facilitated sexual violence highlights the need for targeted awareness. This study evaluates the 3RT model’s effectiveness in preventing and responding to childhood sexual violence, documents its impact on adolescents, examines community roles, and highlights girls' agency in social norms change. Funded by The Wellsprings Philanthropic Fund, the findings will guide improvements to the model and inform child protection policies and programs. The preliminary findings from this work will be presented at the upcoming SVRI Forum in Capetown, South Africa.

From September 16-20, 2024, our team of researchers convened at Makerere University’s College of Health Sciences for the STRETCH Co-Design Workshop, focusing on community-driven solutions for Early Childhood Development (ECD) in refugee settlements. This is part of The Strengthening Research and Evaluation Capacity for Evidence-Driven Policies and Programs to Improve Refugee Child Wellbeing in Africa (STRETCH) Programme which aims to Co-designing a sustainable ECD intervention within Refugee Settings in Uganda and Ethiopia. The team engaged in insightful discussions to improve child safety, nutrition, and responsive caregiving. They highlighted the importance of strengthening community health systems, improving healthcare access, and addressing child safety and food insecurity. The STRETCH Project is Fund by the Hilton Foundation.

STAKE HOLDER ENGAGEMENTS

UPCOMING EVENTS

The Centre will participate in the SVRI Forum 2024, taking place on October 21-25 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, South Africa. This global conference brings together experts in violence prevention research and advocacy. We look forward to sharing our expertise and learning from researchers, policymakers, and practitioners worldwide as we address violence against women, children, and vulnerable groups.

Join us on October 11, 2024, for the International Day of the Girl Child. This year's theme, Girls’ vision for the future’ aligns with AfriChild Centre's commitment to empowering girls through research and advocacy. We believe in creating an environment where every girl can thrive, recognising that investing in girls' education, health, and safety benefits entire communities. Together, let's champion girls' rights across Uganda!

AFRICHILD STAFF CORNER

September was a month of celebration at The AfriChild Centre as we honoured our wonderful colleagues' birthdays! We took moments to appreciate our staff, whose special days brought joy and camaraderie to our workplace. These celebrations not only marked personal milestones but also strengthened our bonds as a team. Join us in wishing our September-born staff members a year ahead filled with success, happiness, and continued growth. Their contributions make our Centre a vibrant and supportive community!

This month, we are excited to welcome two interns to our team: Kaelah Grant, who is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Health at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and Etiang Moses, a Master of Research and Public Policy student at Uganda Christian University. We are also pleased to have Tumwesige Sam Mutiti join us as a volunteer. These additions are significantly contributing to our various research projects while gaining practical experience in the field. We look forward to fostering their professional growth as they engage in meaningful research and deepen their understanding of public health and policy.