A dark and silent crisis is happening in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, where over 113,000 refugees live. Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and girls is a hidden problem that many people don’t see. This violence leaves countless victims trapped in a cycle of fear, pain, and silence. The Unseen Scars of GBV Imagine a young girl, forced to leave her home because of war, now living in a new place. Instead of safety, she faces horrible abuse. Every day, she remembers the violence she has endured. Her eyes, once full of hope, now show her deep pain. These aren’t just rare cases. GBV in Kyaka II is very common but often goes unreported. The victims, usually young girls and women, suffer physical, emotional, and sexual abuse in silence. The cultural stigma and lack of awareness about GBV keep them from speaking out. Most Stories Just Break Our Hearts Amina* is a 17-year-old girl who came to Kyaka II with her family to escape violence in her home country. Instead of finding safety, she was abused by someone in the community. The abuse left her physically and emotionally scarred. Amina never told anyone. She was too afraid of shame and rejection, and there were no services to help her. Refugee women and girls here face a double battle – one against the threats that made them flee their homes and another against the GBV that haunts them daily Grace*, a young mother who hoped to find a better life in Kyaka II. Instead, she faced domestic violence. Her partner’s anger left her bruised and broken. Grace’s cries for help were ignored, and she was left to suffer alone. We need to fight GBV We must acknowledge and address this serious problem. The silence around GBV in Kyaka II must end. We need to raise awareness, both in the refugee settlement and around the world. We must support these women and girls, amplify their voices, and demand action. Support services for GBV survivors need to be stronger. This includes creating safe spaces, providing psychological support, and ensuring legal help to bring abusers to justice. We also need awareness campaigns to educate the community about GBV, dismantle harmful stigmas, and encourage victims to come forward. Investing in women and girls is crucial. By empowering them with education, skills, and economic opportunities, we can help break the cycle of violence. Programs like the refugee entrepreneurship skills initiative give hope, providing women with tools to build a better future. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C00K4ykErnA Join Us The stories of Amina and Grace, and many others like them, should make us act immediately. We can’t wait any longer. We must end the silent suffering of GBV in Kyaka II. Every moment of inaction allows the cycle of abuse to continue, hurting more women and girls. Let us stand together, raise our voices, and take action to stop GBV once and for all. The women and girls of Kyaka II deserve nothing less. *Names have been changed to protect the identities of the victims. Forced Child MARRIAGES Gender Based VIOLENCE Sexual Abuse & Exploitation Little to no access to EDUCATION

Too Young to be a mother Ending child marriage by 2030 is a target embedded in the Sustainable Development Goals. How far have countries progressed towards this target? And how much remains to be achieved? First, let’s take a look at the two serial killers in refugee settlements – Teenage Pregnancy and Forced Child Marriages. Many young girls face huge challenges that change their lives and potentially destroy their futures forever. These challenges include becoming mothers when they are still children themselves or being forced to marry. Forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy are urgent issues that deeply affect the well-being and development of young girls in many parts of the world. In today’s society, where gender equality and women’s rights are important global topics, addressing the root causes and consequences of these practices is crucial. This piece delves into the structural factors that lead to forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy within the humanitarian context, highlighting the challenges faced by vulnerable populations and the urgent need for action. Faridah’s Story Faridah’s story paints a vivid picture of the struggles that many young girls endure when forced to marry. She lost her mother in the Democratic Republic of Congo due to conflict at a very young age and was left in the care of her uncle. Tragedy struck when Faridah was just 13 years old. Her uncle made a decision to marry Faridah off to a 45-year-old man, a stranger to her, in exchange for a dowry that would ease his financial troubles. Faridah’s hopes for a better future were shattered. The burden of forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy weighed heavily on her, robbing her of her childhood and dreams. Faridah’s experience is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address this harmful practice and protect the rights of young girls in marginalized communities. Forced child marriage is a grave violation that affects millions of girls around the world, often leading to teenage pregnancy and numerous challenges. Young girls like Faridah are robbed of their childhood, education, and autonomy when they are forced into marriage at a young age. The consequences of such practices are far-reaching and devastating, perpetuating cycles of poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality. Teenage pregnancy resulting from forced child marriage poses significant health risks for young girls, including complications during pregnancy and childbirth, as their bodies are not fully developed to bear children. Moreover, these girls are often denied access to reproductive health services and information, further worsening their vulnerability. Girls who are forced into marriage at a young age are often deprived of their autonomy, education, and opportunities for personal growth. They face increased risks of domestic violence, early pregnancy, and limited access to healthcare services. Forced child marriage also hinders efforts to achieve gender equality and sustainable development, as it perpetuates harmful gender norms and practices. Young mothers face increased risks of complications during pregnancy and childbirth, including higher rates of maternal mortality and fistula. Teenage mothers are also more likely to drop out of school, limiting their educational and economic opportunities. Children born to teenage mothers are at a higher risk of health and developmental issues, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality. Global and Local Data According to UNICEF, about 21 million girls are married before the age of 18 each year In high fertility sub-Saharan African countries, the prevalence of teenage pregnancy is 24.88% (95% CI: 24.42% – 25.35%). Burundi has the lowest rate at 8.29%, while Niger has the highest at 40.4%. Globally in 2022, 13 million children are born to women under age 20 each year, with over 90% of these births occurring in developing countries. In 2016, there were an estimated 15.4 million people in forced marriages globally. Of these victims, 88% were women and girls. Nearly one-third (32%) of young women in Eastern and Southern Africa were married before age 18. The Far-Reaching Consequences of Forced Child Marriage Many young girls suffer from early pregnancy complications, including Malnutrition and anemia, due to their young age and lack of access to proper healthcare. Their bodies are not ready for childbirth, leading to difficult labor that endangers both their lives and the lives of their babies. Profound trauma and distress The loss of freedom and autonomy Isolation from friends and family Inability to continue their education or pursue their dreams. Their mental health deteriorates as they struggle to cope with the demands and expectations placed on them as child brides. Stigma and discrimination within their communities, where child marriage is seen as a norm rather than a violation of human rights. They are ostracized and marginalized, robbed of the opportunity to participate fully in society and contribute to community development. Financial disenfranchisement and over dependence on their husbands, who do not prioritize their well-being or empowerment. They lack the skills and resources to support themselves and their children, trapping them in a cycle of poverty, vulnerability, and gender-based violence. The lived experiences of refugee girls who have faced forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy, exemplifies and illustrates the physical, emotional, social, and economic toll it takes on young girls as well as depriving them of their right to education and self-determination Let Us Take Action Against these practices There is an urgent need for targeted interventions to address this complex issue and protect the rights and well-being of vulnerable populations. While progress has been made in recent years to reduce the prevalence of forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy globally, more needs to be done to ensure that girls in humanitarian settings are not left behind. Implement comprehensive strategies to prevent child marriage, including awareness-raising campaigns, community engagement, and legal reforms to strengthen protections for girls at risk of forced child marriage and teenage pregnancy. Ensure that girls in humanitarian settings have access to quality education, reproductive healthcare services, and psychosocial support to empower them to make informed choices about their futures. Provide girls with opportunities for economic empowerment, vocational training, and livelihood support to reduce their vulnerability

In September 2018, Uganda’s refugee settlements painted a mixed picture of the state of healthcare. While there were significant strides in some areas, challenges persisted, reflecting the complexity of delivering medical care in such environments. Let’s take an in-depth look at the healthcare situation in these settlements. Outpatient Department (OPD) Consultations Healthcare facilities across the settlements conducted 192,723 consultations in September, with 80% serving refugees and 20% serving the host population. This high volume highlights the immense healthcare needs of refugee communities. On average, each clinician handled 45 consultations per day, just shy of the standard 50. This suggests a high patient load, indicating potential understaffing or a high demand for medical services. Leading Causes of Morbidity The top five health issues were: Malaria (30.3%): This reflects the endemic nature of malaria in Uganda, worsened by living conditions in refugee settlements that often promote mosquito breeding. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI, 18.4%): Crowded living conditions and limited access to clean air and proper ventilation contribute to this high percentage. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTI, 8.3%): Similar to URTI, these infections are driven by environmental factors and can be more severe. Skin Diseases (7.6%): Poor hygiene conditions and close living quarters facilitate the spread of skin infections. Watery Diarrhea (4.2%): Issues with water quality and sanitation lead to this condition, particularly dangerous for children due to the risk of severe dehydration. Inpatient Services and Referrals In September, 10,393 patients were admitted to inpatient care, with refugees making up 74% of these admissions. The hospitalization rate was 59, and the bed occupancy rate was 69%, suggesting a well-utilized healthcare system. Additionally, 2,081 referrals to higher-level care facilities demonstrate the network’s ability to manage severe or complex cases. Reproductive Health Maternal health services showed promising results: Skilled Deliveries: 95% of deliveries were attended by trained health professionals, crucial for reducing maternal and infant mortality. HIV Testing: 87% of mothers were tested for HIV during antenatal care (ANC), essential for preventing mother-to-child transmission. Live Births: 3,882 live births were recorded, with 65% being refugees. The high rate of completed ANC visits (86%) indicates good maternal health service uptake. Nutrition and Vaccination Malnutrition remains a concern, with 1,204 cases of moderate and 75 cases of severe malnutrition. However, recovery rates were high, with 84.6% for the Supplementary Feeding Program (SFP) and 71% for the Intensive Therapeutic Care (ITC). Vaccination campaigns were robust, with significant numbers vaccinated for measles, polio, and other diseases, reducing the risk of outbreaks. Disease Surveillance and Outbreak Management The surveillance system was heightened due to the Ebola outbreak in the neighboring DRC, with daily screenings for new arrivals. No Ebola cases were reported in Uganda by the end of September 2018, demonstrating effective preventive measures. However, there were 79 suspected measles cases, highlighting ongoing vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases. HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) A total of 17,078 individuals were tested for HIV, with 334 testing positive. All positive cases were linked to care, and 15,668 individuals were on ART, indicating a robust HIV/AIDS management program. The majority of HIV cases (64%) were among the host population, reflecting broader community health challenges. Mortality Rates Mortality indicators were within acceptable standards: Crude Mortality Rate (CMR): 0.1 (standard: <0.75) Under-5 Mortality Rate (U5MR): 0.23 (standard: <1.5) Infant Mortality Rate: 10.8 (standard: <20) These low mortality rates suggest effective healthcare interventions and accessible emergency care, though continuous efforts are needed to maintain and improve these outcomes. All Information is presented as an interpretation of the UNHCR refugee health report

All available statistic point out the dire situation in which education aimed at refugees is in. Of the 113000+ refugees in Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, 60% of these are children. Children in need of protection and Education but the reality is that despite the efforts of organizations like the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), which is primarily responsible for the protection, safety and well-being of refugee children. providing psychological support, addressing cases of abuse, and working to reunite separated children with their families and Windle Trust, the main organization responsible for education in Kyaka II. They oversee the operation of schools and ECD centers, provide educational materials, and ensure that children have access to learning opportunities, The gap in education and child protection are alarmingly wide.. Current Statistics The numbers are shocking. Only 21% of ECD-aged children are attending these centers. The situation is even worse for primary and secondary education, with only 18.1% of primary-aged children and 15% of secondary-aged children enrolled in school. This leaves more than 80% of school-aged children without any formal education. These children are eager to learn. Over 75% of children aged 10-17 are out of school, but a staggering 95% of them express a strong desire to return to the classroom. The barriers they face include the inability of parents to afford school supplies and fees, long distances to schools, and age discrepancies for grade levels. Why is it like this? Parents struggle to afford uniforms and school supplies schools are located too far from their homes Poor Existing Infrustructure The terrible Economic conditions where many children also must work to support their families or care for younger siblings, leading to high dropout rates and low enrollment numbers The settlement has only one Child Friendly Space (CFS), staffed by a single individual Something needs to be done The situation in Kyaka II is critical but not without hope. The children here have dreams and aspirations. They want to learn, grow, and contribute to society. Here are some immediate actions that can make a difference: Financial Donations: Contributions can help provide much-needed school supplies, uniforms, and fees. Raise Awareness: Share this information to advocate for more resources and better policies. Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to organizations working in Kyaka II. Support Infrastructure Development: Fund the construction of proper ECD centers and additional CFS units. Sponsor a Child: Consider sponsoring a child’s education. Your support can have a profound impact. The children of Kyaka II are not just statistics; they are young souls with dreams and potential. Your help can turn their dreams into reality. Do not turn a blind eye to their suffering. Act now and be the change that Kyaka II desperately needs. Information in this blog post is the interpretation of the results of the Kyaka II Needs Assesment report by UNHCR