AFRICA/TANZANIA - Child abuse: the Church's initiative to combat the phenomenon

Wednesday, 12 May 2021 children child bride childhood human rights

TANZANIA, UNITED REPUBLIC OF

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Dar es Salaam (Agenzia Fides) - Government, civil society organizations, schools, public institutions have launched initiatives for the protection of minors in Tanzania, given the high rate of child abuse that has drawn the attention of public opinion. According to the "Tanzania Human Rights Report" published by the "Legal and Human Rights Center" (LHRC) there has been a steady increase in violations against children in the past five years. Of the 10,551 cases of abuse reported in 2016, it has risen to 14,419 in 2018 and the numbers continue to grow. In this context, the Catholic Church in Tanzania has launched campaigns against child abuse as part of its mission in society. The Director of the Pastoral Commission in the Bishops' Conference of Tanzania (TEC), Fr. Florence Rutaihwa, explains to Fides: "The phenomenon of child abuse in Tanzania in the last 25 years has grown to become a serious national problem. The Church in Tanzania is close to children who are victims of multiple abuses, be they physical, emotional nature or of abandonment and marginalization. In order to offer lasting safety and well-being to children, the Catholic Church in Tanzania has developed a pastoral action that will help create a safe environment for our little ones". The guidelines published and disseminated in all Catholic communities provide indications against all forms of abuse and neglect of minors, offering a comprehensive approach for the protection of children, reaffirming the necessary and full collaboration with civil authorities throughout the country. "The fight against child abuse requires collective efforts", notes Fr. Florence. "The Church works together with the government through several seminars and a cultural promotion work sponsored by the government and international community organizations such as UNICEF. The idea is to conduct awareness campaigns among religious leaders, influential people and political leaders to promote positive norms and values that protect children and vulnerable people, creating social transformation and forming consciences". The Director notes: "However, in some parts of Tanzania harmful local traditions are followed, such as female circumcision in some tribes, or that of early marriages: there are girls forced to marry", while in other cases there is silence in the family which leads to cover up sexual abuse. The exploitation of child labor is widespread in some areas, as is the practice of flogging children as a means of disciplining them, while in some sectors of society and politics there is still no full conviction to completely prohibit the practice of physical vioence". Tanzania is a signatory to the 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the 1990 African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC); and promulgated the Childhood Law of 2009. On the basis of this convention, Catholic communities offer their contribution to the protection and promotion of children's rights. (FN) (Agenzia Fides, 12/5/2021)