An investigation into the challenges for the enjoyment of basic human rights by children in child-headed households in Karongi District, Western Rwanda
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Date
2007-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Kampala International University.College of Economics and Management
Abstract
The study sought to investigate the challenges facing child-headed households
(CHHs) in their attempt to enjoy their basic human rights. As such, the study
treated variables that included the challenges, coping mechanisms, and
community responses to the plight of child-headed households. The instruments
used included structured and unstructured questionnaires, interviews, focus
group discussions and observation. The target population included 15 local
leaders, 10 NGO/CBO staff, 40 children (head of CHHs), and 25 community
members.
The major findings of the study revealed that child-headed households
experience challenges in accessing adequate food, education and health
services due to several factors largely attributed to poverty and lack of external
support, lack of finances and neglect by the community, which have had negative
implications.
As a result, children have adapted to means for survival through working in
exchange for resources like food and money to meet their survival needs. In
most cases children's efforts to eke a living translates to child labor and
abrogation of their human rights. The Government of Rwanda has put in place
measures to curb some of these challenges by having waivers on fees under
universal primary education programme and free health services. However,
these measures have not cushioned the impact for the children and as such, they
fail to enjoy their human rights. Also, no solid measures have been put in place to
address the right to food. Though the community has an opportunity to play a big
role in mitigating the problems, their response to the challenges of CHHs has not
been sufficient and this is attributed to poverty, lack of involvement of children in
matters concerning them and lack of mobilization and sensitization.
Description
Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Master of Arts degree in Human Rights and Development of Kampala International University
Keywords
Requirements, Human Rights, Development