Almost half of the young people aged 18-24 who were sheltered in 13 refugee settlements across Uganda in 2022 had been the victim of emotional, physical, or sexual violence before becoming adults, according to the Humanitarian Violence Against Children Survey (HVACS).
The survey, the first of its kind carried out in a humanitarian setting, showed that 73% of girls and 53% of males in that age group who had endured sexual violence said their first experience of this occurred after they moved into the refugee settlements.
“After fleeing violence in my homeland, I thought I would find safety here in Uganda,” shares Amina, a 19-year-old refugee from violence-stricken South Sudan. “But instead, I faced more danger. It was here that I was first attacked. I had nowhere to turn for help.”
Education, often seen as a beacon of hope for displaced youth, has also been severely disrupted. The survey found that among adolescents aged 13-17 who experienced sexual violence, over 25% of girls and more than half of boys reported missing school due to these experiences. These interruptions not only harm their immediate education but can have lifelong consequences on their development and future opportunities.
Joshua, a 16-year-old boy who fled violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, expressed his frustration:
“I want to learn, to be something in life. But all I think about is the fear of going outside or being with friends. Many of my friends don’t come to school anymore because of what has happened to them. I feel like I’m losing my future.”
The report highlights that the types of violence described are not isolated incidents but part of a pervasive issue that is affecting countless children within these settlements. Emotional abuse and neglect were also common, with males (23%) being more often subjected to this than females (14%). The aggressors were most often a parent, an adult caregiver or other relatives.
Humanitarian organizations working in the region are now facing intensified pressure to address these findings.
“This survey paints a stark picture of the realities faced by children in refugee settlements,” commented Samira Nkurunziza, a child protection officer for an international NGO working in Uganda. “Immediate action is needed, including enhanced protective measures, education support, and mental health resources, to safeguard these young people and help them rebuild their lives.”
Munir Safieldin, the UNICEF representative in Uganda, expressed concern about the report’s findings, stating:
“No child should have to face violence, especially after fleeing conflict. We need to prioritize the safety and well-being of these children and ensure their voices are heard in discussions about their futures.”
As humanitarian groups strive for solutions, grassroots initiatives are emerging, led by former refugees who have experienced the crisis firsthand.
Amina, alongside other youth advocates, has begun to organize community workshops that aim to raise awareness and empower young refugees to speak out against violence.
“We want to take back our power,” she asserts. “We will not let our stories end in silence.”
The Humanitarian Violence Against Children Survey was conducted in 2022 in all 13 refugee settlements based in Uganda which is the first country to collect complete data on violence against children within refugee populations. The survey was carried out by the Baobab Research Program Consortium in association with the Office of the Prime Minister and Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development.
