Parents in Ogom Subcounty criticised over handling of children’s rights

4 September 2026, 10:22 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

Parents in Ogom Subcounty, Pader District, have been criticised for neglecting their parental responsibilities and failing to uphold basic children’s rights, a situation authorities warn is contributing to child vulnerability, domestic conflict and health challenges at community level.

The concerns were raised by Richard Ocan Okot, the In-Charge of Ogom Health Centre III, during a community advocacy engagement on social protection and children’s rights. The event was organised by Tute Ryemo Can Youth Group with financial support from the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA).

The meeting was also attended by three other sub-groups operating under the Tute Ryemo Can umbrella, including Wa Cit Anyim from Ogom Telela, One Heart from Wii Gweng and Yoo Leng from Telela Central.

The engagement attracted a large number of community members from across Ogom, alongside local leaders, including Local Council I (LC1) chairpersons, Local Council II (LC2) representatives and youth group executives.

Ocan warned that parental negligence undermines children’s rights to healthcare, protection and survival.

He said a concerning trend had emerged in recent months, with some sick children being denied proper medical care because their parents send them to health facilities accompanied only by other underage children.

The health chief further criticised parents for failing to safeguard their children’s right to adequate nutrition during periods of household food shortages. He noted that some children, driven by hunger, were resorting to theft and urged families to prioritise their children’s needs, arguing that adequate feeding is a basic right that can help prevent them from engaging in such behaviour.

Ocan also condemned what he described as the high rate of unnecessary separation among couples in the subcounty. He said marital breakdown could undermine a child’s right to grow up in a stable family environment, leaving children vulnerable to suffering under caregivers who may lack the capacity to provide adequate care.

Turning to basic child welfare, the health centre in-charge expressed concern about the poor grooming of some primary school pupils who visit the health facility. He challenged parents to provide basic household necessities, such as soap, to ensure that children wear clean clothing and maintain good personal hygiene, which he said was part of upholding their dignity and protection.

Speaking at the same event, the Vice Chairperson of Ogom Subcounty, Mrs Beatrice Kidega, supported the health chief’s concerns, saying some men had abandoned their responsibilities as heads of families.

She criticised fathers for leaving mothers to shoulder the responsibility of caring for children and managing households alone.

Mrs Kidega attributed the domestic breakdown to what she described as the abandonment of positive traditional cultural practices. She noted that, in the past, every child was regarded as the responsibility of the wider community, making it easier for community members to guide, discipline and raise children responsibly.

Calling for a unified approach among community members to address these challenges, Mrs Kidega reminded parents that children’s fundamental rights include access to quality education, provision of essential school requirements and adequate healthcare.

In response to concerns about minors being sent to seek healthcare without adult supervision, the subcounty leadership directed local authorities to address cases of parental negligence.

The Chairperson tasked the area councillor and the In-Charge of Ogom Health Centre III with working closely to identify cases involving unaccompanied minors arriving at the health facility.

The initiative is intended to ensure that parents or guardians found to have neglected their responsibilities are identified and dealt with in accordance with local bylaws.

Ocan also raised concerns about a potential public health crisis in Ogom Subcounty, blaming some households for failing to properly manage community water points and construct basic sanitation facilities.

He said poor management of water sources and inadequate sanitation threatened children’s right to live in a clean and healthy environment.