Activities push for elimination of bail for child rape, sodomy

DAR ES SALAAM: THE network for child right defenders in the country held a peaceful march on Saturday, demanding better protection for children, urging the Parliament to review the Penal Code to eliminate bail for all cases of child rape and sodomy.

Additionally, they asked the Police Force to increase the pace of monitoring of incidents of abductions, disappearances and murders of children in the country.

The appeal came following recent incidents of violence against children, including the rape and murder of a six-month-old in Dodoma Region and the abduction and death of a two-year-old child with albinism, Asimwe Novart in Kagera Region.

Speaking over the weekend after the walk, which started at St Peter’s grounds at Oysterbay and ended at Leaders Club grounds in Dar es Salaam, network’s representative, Ms Tike

Mwambipile who is Executive Director of the Tanzania Women’s Lawyers Association (TAWLA), said due to the increasing violence against children, it was crucial for stakeholders, communities and the government to take immediate action to protect children and prevent further incidents.

“We urge the Parliament to review the Penal Code to eliminate bail for all cases of child rape and sodomy,” she emphasised.

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“We have witnessed suspects in these cases being arrested and then released on bail, which leads to victims being threatened, hence subjected to further violence and sometimes losing evidence,” she added.

Furthermore, they implored President Samia Suluhu Hassan to continue stressing the importance of child protection and security, so that all institutions responsible for citizen protection can fulfil their duties and expedite investigations and proceedings in cases reported to security organs to ensure timely justice.

However, they also urged the police to accelerate investigation of cases of child abuse.

Despite acknowledging the efforts made by the government and stakeholders to protect children, network’s representative from WAJIKI organisation, Ms Janeth Mawinza raised concern over increased violence against children.

“The report shows an increase in cases of rape and sodomy, with sodomy cases rising from 1,205 in 2020 to 2,488 in 2023, which is an increase of 57 per cent, while rape cases have also risen from 6,827 in 2022 to 8,691 in 2023.” she added.

For her side, Executive Director for Msichana Initiative, Ms Rebeca Gyumi emphasised that protecting children is everyone’s responsibility, advising the government to strengthen efforts to stop child abuse.