5.3.1. Cross Border issues affecting children’s rights in Uganda: Practices, Challenges and Opportunities – Rose Aaca (Senior Probation and Welfare Officer) The presenter shared that 55% of Uganda’s population are children. Children are prone to experiencing abuse because of their vulnerability. The Government of Uganda has put in place laws and policies to protect children, but child abuse is still a huge issue that we need to continue to address. In Uganda the cross-border child protection issues are: • Child labor • Child trafficking • Child marriages and teenage pregnancies • Violence Against Children • Refugee children • Street children • Cybercrime and child pornography The Ugandan government has taken steps to address the above issues by: • Formation of multi sectoral coordination platforms to enhance implementation • Uganda parliamentary committee established to address these issues • A child helpline has been set up • Laws have been developed to address child protection issues in the country The presenter shared that the lack of regional/harmonized laws to address cross border issues affecting children’s rights remains a challenge that needs to be addressed the lack as well of holding centers for victims of cross border violations and the overall lack of funds for child protection. However, opportunities are the cooperation amongst partner states that should allow for harmonization of laws and good political will in Uganda to develop laws that ensure children are protected. Kenya’s Practices on Cross Border Issues Affecting Children’s Rights: Challenges and Opportunities – Presented by Mr. Maurice Tsuma Mumbetsa The presenter shared that Kenya borders 5 countries in the EAC region and has two of the biggest refugee camps. Millions of children are on the move within Kenya and between borders. The conditions under which movement takes place are often treacherous, putting children, especially unaccompanied and separated children, at an increased risk of economic or sexual exploitation, abuse, neglect and violence. Policy responses to protect and support these migrant children are often fragmented and inconsistent and while children on the move have become a recognized part of today's global and mixed migration flows they are still largely invisible in debates on both child protection and migration. FGM is considered a crime in Kenya but Kenyans find a way to practice it by crossing the border to Tanzania during the holidays to do this. Child Prostitution is rife and children are trafficked for these purposes as well as for labor. Kenya has very porous borders that encourages human traffickers and migrants to move freely. Children are exploited and forced to beg to earn income for adults. Other cross-border issues are cyber-crime