Pushing the Limits of Child Participation in Research: Reflections from a Youth-Driven Participatory Action Research (YPAR) Initiative in Uganda

Youth Participatory Action Research
Child participation
Child-driven methods
Semi-structured life history interviews
Photo-elicitation Interviews
Focus groups
Participant observation

The article reflects on a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) initiative in Uganda, exploring child participation in research on violence against children (VAC). It highlights the transformative potential of involving marginalized youth, such as street-connected children, domestic workers, and sexually exploited youth, as researchers. The YPAR team, comprising Ugandan youth with lived experiences and university-trained peers, utilized participatory methods, including interviews, auto-photography, and focus groups, to document experiences of VAC.

The study emphasizes the importance of democratizing research, centering children's voices, and challenging traditional extractive practices. Methodological insights stress ethical participatory approaches, youth-led analysis, and actionable dissemination to policymakers.

The desired future this work gestures to is one where violence against children in Uganda is eradicated. A future where street-connected children in Uganda can have places and people to support them as they build a safer world for themselves.

Fieldnote summaries documented by youth researchers during immersion activities in Kampala

“In order to disseminate principal findings and provide visualization of children’s experiences of violence in the study sites, the YPAR team set up an exhibition booth at the National Child Welfare Conference, where multiple policy and program actors were present, such as various faith-based child development organizations, global child-focused organizations and high-level government officials, including the First Lady of Uganda” (Ritterbusch et al., 2020, p. 7).

“It is time for policymakers to come down to the street level and listen to children’s recommendations, both from formal research they are driving and from their daily lived experiences.” (Ritterbusch et al., 2020, p. 10

“We also inspired some critical feedback from the police officials who accompanied the First Lady to the event. As the police and military officials walked through the content of our booth, they expressed anger regarding the quote on police violence and rape and demanded we take down the content. Our university partners were unsettled by this interaction and told us to be careful when generating consciousness about state violence. This example illustrates the way that children’s voices, as they want and choose to be heard, are muted in public policy and politicized spaces.” (Ritterbusch et al., 2020, p. 8)

Education
Child Studies
Sociology