Tanzanian Parliament Passes 2024 Child Protection Law Amendments

The Tanzanian Parliament in Dodoma passed the Child Protection Law Amendments of 2024. 

The Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, presented the bill, On August 30, 2024 emphasizing its goal of addressing gaps identified during the implementation of certain provisions to strengthen the protection and welfare of children.

The bill proposes revisions to three laws, the Cybercrimes Act (Chapter 443), the Law of the Child Act (Chapter 13), and the Legal Aid Act (Chapter 21).

Dr. Gwajima highlighted that efforts to improve laws and guidelines related to child protection will be ongoing due to the rapid changes in society, particularly in the digital age. She noted, "Every year, we will not hesitate to introduce amendments to the law due to the pace of social change in the digital world, as these changes also impact the development and well-being of our children across different age groups."

Presenting the views of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare and Community Development, Michael Kembaki advised the government to review all child protection laws to align them with current realities, allocate a budget for operating children's councils, and accelerate the recruitment of Social Welfare Officers.

Members of Parliament commended the government for recognizing the importance of amending child protection laws to safeguard children from the evolving challenges of science, technology, and acts of violence and abuse.