On August19, 1983 the General Assembly of theUnited Nations decided to dedicate the4th of June each year to the countlessinnocent children victims.
Violenceagainst children cuts across all socialand cultural lines.
The purpose of thisday is to raise awareness for the painchildren suffer worldwide throughphysical, mental or emotional abuse.Organizations and individuals takepart or launch campaigns on that dayto fight for and protect the rights ofchildren.
Concerned that many childrenwere and are still victims of brutalacts of aggression throughout theglobe. There is nothing more ferociousand contemptible than the violence,aggression and harm of the mostvulnerable and voiceless membersof our society.
The InternationalDay of Innocent Children Victims ofAggression also celebrates the millionsof individuals and organisationsworking to protect and preserve therights of children. It is a time for peopleall over the world to become aware ofthe impact of monstrosity of abuse,in all its forms, against children. It isalso a time when organisations andindividuals learn from or take partin awareness campaigns centred onprotecting children’s rights.
A majority of children in Tanzaniareport experiencing violence andabuse without a clear point of contactfor support. The 2011 Violence AgainstChildren in Tanzania report presentsviolence against children as a seriousproblem in Tanzania with nearly 3 in10 girls and approximately 1 in 7 boysin Tanzania having experienced sexualviolence prior to the age of 18. Almostthree-quarters of both girls and boyshave experienced physical violenceprior to the age of 18.
Despite these alarming ratesand national efforts to addressthe problem, necessary servicesfor affected children have beenfragmented and uncoordinated withno clear primary point of contact forservices provided across differentministries, departments and nationalagencies. The lack of response fromfamilies, community leaders, police,and state departments has meant thatmany cases never get reported, letalone reach the health and/or judicialservices.
From 2010 – 2013 Save the Childrenimplemented a Child ProtectionSystem Strengthening Pilot, withsupport from UNICEF on the Tanzaniamainland in Magu, Hai and Temekedistricts. The pilot aimed at improvingand strengthening district levelgovernment in management of childprotection systems and structures. Inaddition it supported the developmentof a skilled child protection workforceat ward and district levels for theeffective delivery of social welfareservices, prevention and responseto child protection issues.
It workedto develop and implement an M&Esystem to ensure adequate monitoringand oversight. Linked to this is thesupport to central government indeveloping National Guidelines onhow to establish and manage a DistrictChild Protection System and One StopCentre to provide services for victimsof abuse.
By February 2014 a total of 3,094children under 18 years of age whowere either working or were at risk ofentering into labour were withdrawnor prevented from entering intolabour on Unguja and Pemba. Thesechildren were sent back to school andwere given scholastic materials suchas uniforms, stationery (pens/pencils/exercise books), shoes, and satchels.
By the end of 2013 a total of 672most vulnerable families of childrenwithdrawn from labour had beensupported to start income generatingactivities. Some of the families areengaged in goat keeping, poultry, beekeeping, horticulture and tailoring.
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