The National Children’s Council has called on the government to involve children in drafting laws that will impose stricter penalties on those found guilty of acts of violence against children.
This request was made by Sabrina Salum, a member of the Children’s National Council Committee, during a discussion organized by Save the Children to discuss the future of Tanzania's youth under the theme “Children as Future Youth Out Emerging Tanzania” during the CSOs Week in Arusha.
The discussion, organized by Save the Children, aimed to bring together children and first-time young mothers from diverse backgrounds to participate in conversations about Tanzania's future leading up to Vision 2050.
Children were engaged in various activities such as drawing, painting, and sharing their experiences and aspirations.
Key themes included children’s rights, health solutions for young mothers, the impact of climate change on children, emergency preparedness and response, and the policy and legal framework for children.
Children’s Call for Protection Against Violence
Sabrina pointed out that acts of violence against children are on the rise in the country due to the lack of strict laws to punish perpetrators.
She expressed concern about the current situation, saying, "It has reached a point where children are afraid to go to playgrounds, houses of worship, and other places where we are supposed to enjoy life.
If this is the situation today, what will it be like in 2050? Children will still exist.
I urge the government and institutions to take these matters seriously because the right to life for children is fundamental.”
Another child, Yasin from Dar es Salaam, raised concerns about the transportation challenges faced by students. He proposed that laws be enacted requiring public transport in major cities to allocate a certain number of seats for students to reduce the hardships they face commuting to and from school.
Yasin also suggested that government and security vehicles be used to help transport students in overcrowded bus stations to alleviate the transportation crisis.
Proposal to Abolish Corporal Punishment in Schools
Save the Children presented a petition titled "Petition for the Abolition of Corporal Punishment in Tanzanian Schools", emphasizing that corporal punishment is outdated, counterproductive, and harmful to children's development. They highlighted research showing that corporal punishment fosters violence and has severe psychological effects on children.
Save the Children called for the immediate abolition of this form of discipline and the promotion of non-violent, positive disciplinary methods.
Proposed Policy and Legal Reforms
Save the Children urged the government and other stakeholders to take immediate steps to address the following:
End Corporal Punishment: Advocate for laws and policies that eliminate corporal punishment in all schools to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
Strengthen Policy and Oversight: Strengthen existing regulations and establish robust mechanisms to monitor and ensure compliance with the prohibition of corporal punishment. Clear guidelines for reporting violations should be implemented to hold perpetrators accountable.
Promote Positive Discipline: Teachers and caregivers should receive training on non-violent disciplinary practices to create a supportive and respectful learning environment for children.
Raise Awareness: Conduct educational campaigns to inform teachers, parents, and communities about the harmful effects of corporal punishment and the benefits of positive discipline.
Collaborative Efforts: Build partnerships among government agencies, educational institutions, NGOs, and community leaders to unite against corporal punishment and support the implementation of positive disciplinary methods.
Opinions from NGO Leaders
Hindu Mbwego, Executive Director of the Center for Women and Children's Development (CWCD), emphasized the importance of both parents, particularly fathers and mothers, fulfilling their roles in raising their children. She suggested that laws be revised to ensure parents are held accountable for their children’s upbringing, noting that it should not be left solely to organizations and institutions.
John Miyola, Director of AGAPE Shinyanga, an organization focused on protecting and supporting girls, urged organizations such as Plan International and Save the Children to allow anyone to bring legal complaints about child abuse to court, rather than leaving this responsibility solely to lawyers due to the prevalence of corruption that undermines justice.
In conclusion, all participants agreed on the importance of involving children and parents in the creation of better laws to address acts of violence against children, ensuring a brighter future for them as Tanzania moves toward Vision 2050.
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