UNICEF pledges collaboration with Tanzania to protect children

DAR ES SALAAM: THE United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with Tanzania to uphold the universal right of every child to protection, enabling them to grow free from violence.

The commitment was expressed by UNICEF Global Director for Child Protection, Ms. Sheema Sen Gupta, at the conclusion of her five-day visit to Tanzania, which coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child, observed annually on October 11.

“No matter the circumstances, every child has the right to be protected from violence. Child protection systems connect children to vital social services and fair justice systems—starting at birth,” said Ms. Sen Gupta. She added, “Together with our partners, we are dedicated to enhancing child protection systems in Tanzania, ensuring that every child grows up free from violence and has the support they need to thrive.”

Despite significant progress in Tanzania, Ms. Sen Gupta noted that societal norms still endorse practices such as child marriage and corporal punishment in schools. Additionally, a large number of children lack birth registration, making them vulnerable to violence and abuse.

Ms. Sen Gupta praised Tanzania for simplifying birth registration services, which have significantly increased registration rates for children under five, from 12 per cent in 2013 to 68 per cent in 2023.

However, she highlighted that the child protection sector is often overlooked and underfunded, leading to persistent challenges.

“Rates of violence and abuse remain alarmingly high across the world,” she said.

Ms. Sen Gupta said, with the support of partners funding UNICEF’s Global Child Protection Thematic Fund, UNICEF has been continuously assisting the government of Tanzania in strengthening child protection systems.

From October 7 to 11, 2024, a delegation of global child protection development partners, led by UNICEF, embarked on a learning journey to Tanzania.

Their focus was on understanding child protection interventions, witnessing progress and addressing challenges related to violence, exploitation and abuse of children.

This visit coincided with the International Day of the Girl, themed ‘Girls’ Vision for the Future,’ which featured a dialogue with innovative girls advocating for issues affecting their lives.

Part of this dialogue included engagement with girls who contributed to the development of the Oky digital tool. Supported by UNICEF and the Ministry of Health, Oky helps girls and young women track their menstrual cycles, fostering digital literacy among adolescents and their support networks.

The delegation, which included representatives from Sweden, Canada, Belgium, the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Switzerland, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), engaged with key stakeholders championing efforts to protect every child in Tanzania.

They witnessed the positive impact of collaborative efforts among partners focused on all aspects of child well-being, particularly for girls and other vulnerable children.

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During their visit,the delegation met with the Social Welfare and Justice Services of the Government of Tanzania, local civil society organizations (CSOs) and communities to discuss the major challenges facing children in Tanzania and how they are working collaboratively to address them.

In Dar es Salaam, the delegation visited the Police Gender and Children Desk at Chang’ombe, Temeke Municipality, which provides a safe space for children and survivors of violence to report abuse through an integrated case management system between social welfare and the police.

This facility also focuses on the rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law and the prevention and response to violence against women and children.

In Zanzibar, they held discussions with the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Riziki Pembe Juma, along with representatives from the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, community leaders and local authorities overseeing district-level child protection units.

These units are crucial for fostering preventive measures against child abuse and providing coordinated responses to reported cases.