Saved from the streets
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- Social Impact Award for Nairobits
- Child domestic labour: law enforcers turn out law breakers
- Child sexual abuse in Jinja district
- Introduction to East Africa of new Executive Director
- Contribution to The Mater Heart Run
- Mrs. Ban Ki Moon visits Sarakasi Trust Hospital Project
- Terre des Hommes draws the attention of the United Nations to the human rights of trafficked children
- The Hague Global Child Labour Conference
- For a reinforcement of children’s rights
Child domestic labour: law enforcers turn out law breakers
1 in every 10 police households employs a child domestic worker. This is the shocking conclusion of a mapping exercise of our partner Platform for Labour Action (PLA) amongst the police force in Kampala, Uganda.
The mapping took place in Nsambya Police Barrack in Makindye, the largest in Uganda and the whole of East and Central Africa, where 12,000 policemen and women live.
"Empowering the community to prevent and protect child domestic workers" is one of the projects of our Ugandan partner Platform for Labour Action (PLA) receiving support from Terre des Hommes Netherlands.
PLA staff conducted the mapping exercise during August 2011. In the 987 households visited, 97 child domestic workers were encountered. In other words: 10% of the officers who are responsible for protecting children and preventing child labour are actually employing child domestic workers.
One of them is 15 year old Aidah, who dropped out of school three years ago when her parents passed away. Aidah came to live with her aunt, who was unable to support her and instead sent her to work for a police officer. For a pay of not more than US $ 10 per month, Aidah had to cook, wash, mop and look after 3 children and 2 adults, every day from early morning to late at night. The oldest son of the family tried to sexually abuse her and accused her of having sex with one of the neighbours, which led to her dismissal. Aidah was literally on the streets when the PLA team found her. While giving her temporary shelter, PLA located her aunt. The two are now reunited, and Aidah is waiting to start vocational training. With the vocational skills she will be able to stand on her own feet in future.