Call for Action AKNOWLEDGEMENTS Institute <strong>of</strong> Social Work feels highly privileged to work with SOS <strong>Children</strong>‟s Villages <strong>Tanzania</strong>. In that footnote wishes to express its s<strong>in</strong>cere gratitude to a number <strong>of</strong> personalities who facilitated and supported the whole process <strong>of</strong> conduct<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Tanzania</strong> country Child Right Situational analysis. These <strong>in</strong>clude Kiros Aregawi, who was the <strong>in</strong>itial quality and contact person who availed the ISW with <strong>2012</strong> CRSA version 3 for conduct<strong>in</strong>g the Child Right Situational Analysis. Indeed the guidel<strong>in</strong>e was very relevant and exhaustive. Secondly, is Mr. Steven Myamba who advised to drop the tool <strong>of</strong> <strong>2012</strong> and adapt a format <strong>of</strong> 2008 for conduct<strong>in</strong>g Child Right Situational Analysis. Further appreciation is extended to the whole SOS <strong>Children</strong>‟s Villages <strong>Tanzania</strong>, which was constituted by Dr. Alex Lengeju, Ms Wo<strong>in</strong>de Shisael, and Ms Rita Kahurananga the CEO for their cooperation and teamwork spirit <strong>in</strong> accomplish<strong>in</strong>g the study. The Institute is also <strong>in</strong>debted to the whole research team that participated <strong>in</strong> collect<strong>in</strong>g data and conduct<strong>in</strong>g analysis. Indeed their endurance is highly valued, <strong>in</strong> ensur<strong>in</strong>g that despite chang<strong>in</strong>g the format, the report output is produced for shar<strong>in</strong>g; further, the Institute <strong>of</strong> Social Work extends its gratitude to social welfare <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>in</strong> the region and Sectoral M<strong>in</strong>istries who volunteered their time to ensure that the data for the report are obta<strong>in</strong>able for the second time. F<strong>in</strong>ally, we apologize for delay <strong>in</strong> f<strong>in</strong>al submission <strong>of</strong> the report. This was basically due to the reasons beyond our control. However, we are happy to submit the f<strong>in</strong>al version that is much more improved and possess<strong>in</strong>g multi-discipl<strong>in</strong>ary outlook. Andrew S.T. Mchomvu Institute <strong>of</strong> Social Work Pr<strong>in</strong>cipal Lecturer ii / 55 <strong>Tanzania</strong>-CRSA-REPORT-<strong>2012</strong> A lov<strong>in</strong>g home for every child
Call for Action EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose <strong>of</strong> undertak<strong>in</strong>g child rights situational analysis <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> was to shed light on the general situation <strong>of</strong> children without or at risk <strong>of</strong> los<strong>in</strong>g parental care. The focus was on children rights violations by target<strong>in</strong>g specific group <strong>of</strong> children that do not have parental care or are marg<strong>in</strong>alised by the exist<strong>in</strong>g care systems. In view <strong>of</strong> that, the study sought to identify status <strong>of</strong> children without parental care. Further, identify the major rights that are violated and causes for such violations. Additionally other critical issues <strong>in</strong>fluenc<strong>in</strong>g realization <strong>of</strong> children rights <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong>, namely school water sanitation and hygiene (SWASH), nutrition status, food security, child labour, MVCs and factors that makes children vulnerable were established. The study also observed the duty bearers, their roles and responsibilities at different levels namely, national, regional, district, and at community level. The Institute <strong>of</strong> Social Work and SOS <strong>Children</strong>‟s Village <strong>Tanzania</strong> experts conducted child right situational analysis <strong>in</strong> <strong>2012</strong>. The team used network <strong>of</strong> social work experts employed as Social Welfare <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>in</strong> districts, labour <strong>of</strong>ficers and community development <strong>of</strong>ficers at district, ward level, and sometimes village level to collect some <strong>of</strong> the data. The study covered Dar-es-salaam, Tanga, Musoma, Arusha, Mara, Dodoma, S<strong>in</strong>gida, Manyara, Kigoma, L<strong>in</strong>di, Zanzibar, Ir<strong>in</strong>ga and Mbeya. Ngo‟s deal<strong>in</strong>g with vulnerable children, foreign Ngo‟s, UN NGOs and government <strong>of</strong>fices <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g specific six sectoral M<strong>in</strong>istries deal<strong>in</strong>g with children issues, were also contacted <strong>Tanzania</strong>n report provides an overall status <strong>of</strong> children <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> by focus<strong>in</strong>g on specific category <strong>of</strong> children who have lost their parents or are at the risk <strong>of</strong> los<strong>in</strong>g parental care. The report further shows the pr<strong>of</strong>ile <strong>of</strong> children status <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong>. The status <strong>of</strong> those children liv<strong>in</strong>g without parental care <strong>in</strong>cludes; <strong>Children</strong> surviv<strong>in</strong>g under child headed household, these are many and <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> different areas but notably Iramba and Lushoto are exceptional. These children are victims <strong>of</strong> all socio-economic problems, and ultimately their exploited, abused, and cannot access education, poor nutrition, and <strong>in</strong>adequate food supply and survive under extreme poverty. There are also children surviv<strong>in</strong>g under elderly headed household who are also vulnerable, case <strong>of</strong> Iramba, Lushoto, Mtwara and Dodoma. Further, there are children surviv<strong>in</strong>g under maternal status, also those under paternal. Additionally there are those children who are <strong>in</strong> conflict with the law and surviv<strong>in</strong>g under prison, remand home, and detention. These children are highly abused and do not have social protection, and demand immediate <strong>in</strong>tervention to rescue them. There are also children surviv<strong>in</strong>g under street children status, child labour status and those affected by HIV/AIDS. The rights <strong>of</strong> children <strong>in</strong> this category are be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>fr<strong>in</strong>ged and <strong>in</strong>tervention is needed. Hand <strong>in</strong> hand with that, the report enumerates def<strong>in</strong>itions used <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> to identify the target children. The def<strong>in</strong>itions help to l<strong>in</strong>k various categories <strong>of</strong> children and UN guidel<strong>in</strong>es like Convention on the right <strong>of</strong> the child as well as the alternative care <strong>of</strong> 2009. It was noted that children population <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> is 23,000,000 1 , THMIS <strong>2012</strong>. In contrast, the target child population <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> <strong>in</strong>cludes; double orphans who are 230,256; maternal orphans 462,688, and paternal orphans 1,283,067. Statistically orphans constituted 1,976,011, which is 11.6% <strong>of</strong> the total country child population. Another category <strong>of</strong> our target child population <strong>in</strong>cluded those children cared by elderly who are 327,514 and those cared by sibl<strong>in</strong>gs who are 200,091. There is another category <strong>of</strong> children resid<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> residential homes. These were 11,565 <strong>in</strong> <strong>2012</strong>. The study also identified another category <strong>of</strong> children who are <strong>in</strong> conflict with the law and kept under prison 453, detention 578, retention 80, and <strong>in</strong> approved schools 80. Further, there was another category <strong>of</strong> street children hosted at children homes. Targeted children <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> estimated to be 3,000,000 children. The support<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> HIV <strong>in</strong>fected children is becom<strong>in</strong>g a burden to the nation, and some permanent solutions is needed The trend <strong>of</strong> children at risk <strong>of</strong> los<strong>in</strong>g parental care <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> is <strong>in</strong>creas<strong>in</strong>g because <strong>of</strong> HIV/AIDS prevalence rate, which <strong>in</strong> <strong>2012</strong> was 15.5%, at Ir<strong>in</strong>ga, Mbeya 12.4%, Mwanza 8.1%, Ruvuma 7.4%, Pwani 6.5%, Dar es Salaam 6.3% and Dodoma 6%. The above percentages reveal that <strong>in</strong> some years to come the number <strong>of</strong> children <strong>in</strong> need protection will <strong>in</strong>crease significantly. Economically <strong>Tanzania</strong> does not have adequate resources to care for such children. The study noted that poverty further aggravates the problem <strong>of</strong> children loos<strong>in</strong>g parental care. The experience <strong>of</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> reveals that communities have failed to play their major traditional role <strong>of</strong> provid<strong>in</strong>g care and protection to children. This gap has made thousands <strong>of</strong> children <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> parentless, discrim<strong>in</strong>ated, tortured, abused, killed, and solitary, (child traffick<strong>in</strong>g, child labour, and denied access to basic needs). The status <strong>of</strong> children rights violation <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong> is currently shock<strong>in</strong>g by reflect<strong>in</strong>g on the <strong>in</strong>cidences witnessed than any other country <strong>in</strong> East Africa. The major children rights violated <strong>in</strong>cludes rights to life, right for survival, right to play, right to health care, right to education, right for participation, right for parental care and guidance, right to be listened, right for justice, right for provision <strong>of</strong> basic needs like food, shelter, and cloth<strong>in</strong>g. The violation <strong>of</strong> these rights is caused by low level <strong>of</strong> knowledge to children rights. The <strong>Tanzania</strong> situation suggest that child rights is done by biological parents, relatives, guardians, people with authority, neighbours, fellow children and even the state organs which are entrusted with the task <strong>of</strong> protect<strong>in</strong>g children like police, courts, retention homes, and approved schools. The situational analysis <strong>in</strong>dicates that there are critical children rights, which are violated. These <strong>in</strong>cludes the right to life where Alb<strong>in</strong>os are be<strong>in</strong>g killed hence violations <strong>of</strong> alb<strong>in</strong>os‟ constitutional right to life. The total number <strong>of</strong> alb<strong>in</strong>o children killed <strong>in</strong> 2011 stands at 6. For those who were not killed, some <strong>of</strong> their organs were chopped <strong>of</strong>f or mutilated and made to have permanent life disability. The violation <strong>of</strong> that right denies them many opportunities e.g. access to education, health and play. The f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs demonstrated that, because <strong>of</strong> HIV/AIDS thousands <strong>of</strong> children are stigmatized, discrim<strong>in</strong>ated and thrown out <strong>of</strong> their homes. Further the f<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>gs revealed that some <strong>of</strong> these children and end as homeless, or children liv<strong>in</strong>g on the street and <strong>in</strong> the street. This is a phenomenon, which has thrown many children to suffer<strong>in</strong>g and be<strong>in</strong>g susceptible to abuse. 1 http://www.unicef.org/<strong>in</strong>fobycountry/tanzania_statistics.html, http://data.worldbank.org/country/tanzania iii / 55 <strong>Tanzania</strong>-CRSA-REPORT-<strong>2012</strong> A lov<strong>in</strong>g home for every child
Change language