Building Research Evidence and Collaborative Partnerships in Uganda to Prevent and Protect Children Against Violence: Concerns and Priorities for Action

Abstract

Within this chapter, the authors argue that the child protection sector which bears the responsibility to prevent and protect children against all forms of violence including physical, sexual and emotional violence has grossly been undermined in comparison to other sectors by negligible government funding. The meager funding is partly accounted for by the absence of locally generated strong research evidence that provides a costs and benefits analysis so as to justify increased investment in the child protection sector. The chapter provides examples of areas where child protection researchers could focus attention in order to build a solid case to inform evidence-based policy development including advocacy for increased budgetary resource allocation. The paper concludes by urging researchers and research users to work towards developing consensus on measurable indicators under child protection, and to pay greater attention to capturing the views of the local masses and affected children.