The National Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children Policy (NOP) is the official policy governing OVC of the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development (MGLSD) of the Republic of Uganda. The policy interprets a vision of a society where all orphans and other vulnerable children live to their full potential, where their rights and aspirations are fulfilled. The Ugandan Government, through MGLSD, is mandated to promote the social protection of poor and vulnerable children. Such children include orphans, those who live on the streets, those that toil under exploitative conditions of labour as well as those that suffer sexual abuse and other forms of discrimination. The HIV/AIDS pandemic has greatly contributed to the huge numbers of orphans and other vulnerable children that are now overwhelming the extended family support systems in the country. This situation is exacerbated by conflict in some parts of the country and other preventable diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.
The NOP contributes to the improvement of the quality of life of OVCs and their families. It informs programmes and legal and administrative actions that affect the safety, well-being and development of orphans, vulnerable children and their care-givers. It is also an essential part of the Social Development Sector Strategic Investment Plan (SDIP), which is an integral part of the Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP). The implementation of this policy will involve other government ministries, local authorities, civil society organizations, the private sector, orphans and other vulnerable children themselves, communities as well as the families they live in.
The Government of Uganda will focus on services that are cost-effective and have the greatest impact on reducing vulnerability and improving the welfare of orphans and other vulnerable children to promote equity. Interventions that build capacity and improve quality and effectiveness will be supported and implemented in an integrated manner. The priority areas of focus are care and support, child protection, education, health, food security and nutrition, psychosocial support, socio-economic security, conflict resolution and peace-building. These interventions constitute the Essential Services Package for orphans and other vulnerable children.
©Uganda Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development
