How do we save boy child
Gcina wrote:
As Activists and gender advocates, we can save a boy child by, creating safe and inclusive spaces that will acknowledge that males and boy child are also victims of gbv and partriachy, we can also do this by making sure that we mobilize males not as perpetrators but also as changemakers and service users
I fully agree with your perspective. 
Creating safe and inclusive spaces where boys and men can openly acknowledge experiences of GBV is essential, especially in contexts where patriarchy often discourages vulnerability. When silence is reduced, it becomes easier to identify and address the full spectrum of harm affecting all genders.
Your point on shifting the narrative is also key: engaging males not only as potential perpetrators but as active allies, service users, and changemakers helps to dismantle harmful norms from within. 
This kind of engagement strengthens prevention efforts and makes interventions more sustainable.
Ultimately, a truly effective GBV response must be both gender-responsive and inclusive, ensuring that protection, support, and accountability systems work for everyone while still addressing structural inequalities.
BETTY wrote:
This is a very serious topic to tackle and talk about. This has taken shape in almost all countries in Africa and that includes Uganda of course. Men would feel that is belittling to them, showing weakness of a man just like Benedict has mentioned. In Uganda, the government has initiated a national helpline that is toll-free to report cases of child abuse and GBV but the most cases reported are still related to women and girls with a few cases of neglect against the boychild. More sensitization is still the way to go.
You make a very important and balanced observation. Indeed, GBV and child protection challenges in many African contexts, including Uganda, are still largely reported through a gendered lens, with women and girls being the most visible victims in reporting systems. 
At the same time, as you point out, issues affecting boys and menโsuch as neglect, emotional abuse, and social expectations around masculinityโare often underreported, partly due to stigma and cultural perceptions of โstrengthโ and vulnerability. This silence can make it harder to fully understand the scope of the problem.
The introduction of national toll-free helplines is a strong step forward, but as you rightly emphasize, continuous community sensitization is key. Changing deeply rooted norms around masculinity, vulnerability, and reporting behavior will take sustained effort across education systems, community leadership, and media engagement.
A more inclusive GBV response that recognizes all affected groupsโwhile still addressing the disproportionate impact on women and girlsโcan help build a more effective and equitable protection system overall.