ENDING CHILDHOOD SEXUAL VIOLENCE TAKES ALL OF US

Ending childhood sexual violence is not a task for one person or one organization, it requires all of us to work together. This was the strong message from a men’s engagement on 10th June, themed “Engaging Men and Boys as Champions to End Childhood Sexual Violence.” The dialogue brought together men and boys to reflect, learn and take action on their role in protecting children and building safer communities. We witnessed firsthand power of engaging men and boys for a shared purpose as the session created a meaningful space for honest conversations, deeper understanding and commitment to the role they must play in safeguarding children.

The keynote speaker, SSP Jackson Mucunguzi delivered a powerful message that set the tone for the day. He reminded us that ending childhood sexual violence requires collective action and cannot be achieved by one person or institution alone. With his words, “When you engage a boy, you have helped a girl,” he emphasized the importance of involving men and boys as part of the solution. He challenged us to break the silence around abuse noting that silence protects offenders not survivors. He also encouraged everyone to become role model and use their voices especially on social media to advocate for change and spread awareness about Sauti 116 as a reporting and supporting platform.

Other speakers added valuable perspectives to the discussion. Simon Ssenabulya from Ssena Healing Africa spoke about the importance of collaboration reminding us that organizations must support and amplify each other’s efforts because no single group has all the answers. Drawing from his work and his book “Echoes of Stolen Childhood,” he highlighted the long-term impact of violence on children. Dan Kabanda of Community Minds Initiative emphasized the need to work directly with schools and communities where prevention efforts are most effective and called for intentional engagement of men and boys in child protection. Emmanual Nuwasasira of Elevate SM also talked about the role of parents encouraging them to be present, build trust with their children and create safe spaces for open communication.

The engagement ended on a powerful note with members standing united and raising messages on placards calling for protection, justice and accountability. It was clear that although we may express ourselves differently, we all share one goal to protect children and end violence. As hosts of Brave Movement Uganda, we remain committed to strengthening collective action, advancing the Path to Justice and building a future where every child is safe, protected and heard.

Compiled By: Dorah Kamwine.