Through participatory research this study examined the nature of violence, including psychological abuse, against orphans in parts of Uganda devastated by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
The report highlights the types, causes and psychological impact of stigmatisation of and discrimination against orphans; World Vision programme responses to orphans and vulnerable children; and recommendations for dealing with violence and abuse against children affected by HIV/AIDS.
The study found that stigmatisation of and discrimination against orphans are themselves violence. This also lead to different forms of abuse including physical abuse, psychological abuse, child labour, neglect and sexual abuse. The consequence of discrimination for orphans is that it reduces their scope for development, physically and mentally, as well as in their skills and knowledge. Socially they are excluded through being perceived as burdens to their extended and new foster families.
A number of recommendations are made, including:
- training and support is required for guardians and other children in households where orphans are living
- an alternative "group home" (not orphanage) model should be developed for consideration
- consideration should be given to offering orphans opportunities for further study, including in vocational or high school
- improvement in the income of local communities could lead to better care for orphans, therefore training of guardians should be offered in combination with income-generating or micro-enterprise activities.
©World Vision International
