In February 2007, the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social Development (MGLSD) released Findings to Guide the Development of a National Advocacy Strategy to Support Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children, a qualitative research report. The purpose of this study was to better understand the strengths and limitations of the national response to OVC, and to identify factors that impact policy makers’ willingness to allocate resources to OVC programming. The qualitative study laid the foundations for this advocacy strategy.
The study found that despite frequent references to OVC as a category deserving urgent attention, these children actually receive low priority in budgeting and programming. This is true at both central and local levels. The report recommended several actions to raise the profile of OVC issues: using data to influence policy decisions, making OVC issues a policy priority, strengthening collaboration between civil society groups, improving media coverage of OVC issues.
A small working group composed of representatives from MGLSD, UNICEF and civil society carefully reviewed this study to set out the parameters for OVC advocacy. The working group noted the need for coordinated and focused advocacy, whereby the Directorates and Departments within the Ministry work together to inform, consult, and network with stakeholders according to a common goal.
Although primary responsibility for the implementation of the strategy rests with the OVC Secretariat in the Department of Children and Youth, all MGLSD directorates and departments are expected to actively contribute to this effort through a Technical Working Group. In addition, the strategy is designed to inform key partners outside the Ministry, including development partners, and technical service organizations who are working on behalf of the Ministry to expand the quality and availability of services for OVC.
This advocacy strategy should not negate or take away from other issue-based advocacy activities, where Ugandans bring attention to the urgent need for protection, care and support of OVC. Instead, it should complement such efforts, by focusing on the broader issues that impact allocation of resources to OVC at the national and district levels.
©Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
