Minister visits Children’s Remand Home as Tanzania commits to protect children’s rights
MBEYA: THE Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Eng Maryprisca Mahundi, has stressed the importance of strengthening parenting at the family and community levels in order to reduce the number of children entering the criminal justice system and to curb the practice of children living on the streets.
The Deputy Minister made the statement shortly after inspecting infrastructure and service delivery at the Children’s Remand Home (mahabusu ya watoto)in Mbeya City, saying that the government is determined to continue to take firm measures to protect children’s rights and ensure their welfare is safeguarded in accordance with the Law of the Child.
Elaborating, the minister noted that the government’s goal is to see every child grow up and be raised in a loving family that provides protection and good moral values.
According to the minister, children’s Remand Homes are a last and temporary resort and their main objective is to prevent children from reaching the stage by strengthening parenting within families and communities.
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For his part, the Assistant Commissioner for Social Welfare from the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Mussa Mkamate, said cooperation among parents, guardians and the wider community is a key pillar in child upbringing and the future of the nation.
Emphasizing his point, he said that children need positive parenting, care and love from families and communities.
“If we work together, we will avoid having many children on the streets and build a strong generation that will protect and develop the nation,” Mkamate said..
The Manager of the Mbeya Children’s Remand Home, Reuben Ndelembi, said the facility continues to provide behaviour rehabilitation services, psychological support, life skills education, and family reunification once children’s cases are concluded.
