Ministry, alliance to coordinate learning exchange to Uganda
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Familia kwa Watoto Alliance, in collaboration with the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, is set to coordinate a pivotal learning exchange visit to Uganda.
The goal is to support the ongoing efforts to reform the childcare system and strengthen family-based alternative care provision in Tanzania.
The Railway Children Africa (RCA) Executive Director, Mr Musa Mgata, said in a statement issued yesterday that the initiative will take place in Kampala from August 6 to 7 this year and is aimed at aligning Tanzania’s childcare system with international best practices.
“The regional learning exchange visit represents a significant step towards aligning Tanzania’s childcare systems with international best practices and the collaborative effort required to achieve meaningful change,” said Mr Mgata.
He further noted that, “by sharing knowledge and learning from the experiences and successes of Uganda, we hope to gain broader support for these critical reforms in Tanzania to protect vulnerable children and support family-based settings.”
Mr Mgata stated that the secretariat of the Familia Kwa Watoto Alliance, Railway Children Africa, has collaborated with Uganda’s Child’s i Foundation, to host the exchange visit and support the Tanzanian government’s commitment to child protection.
He noted that the Tanzanian delegation participating in the event includes senior officials from the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups.
The Minister’s involvement provides a steppingstone towards garnering political commitment to further the care reform agenda in Tanzania, including leveraging ongoing efforts of the recently trained National Alternative Care Technical Working Group.
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Despite the government’s efforts, there are growing concerns over the reliance on institutional care for children who have lost parental care and families at risk of separation across the country.
Household poverty remains a persistent issue, as well as increasing cases of violence, abuse and neglect, leading to a significant number of children living alone on the streets and in exploitative situations.
Following the review made by Minister Dorothy Gwajima on the alternative parenting plan in Dar es Salaam on August 2, she ordered the Commissioner of Social Welfare in Tanzania, Dr Nandera Mhando, to ensure that all caregivers, commonly known as “Fit Persons,” are given identifications.
“The answers to tackling the challenges of society are at the level of the local government, with the cooperation of all stakeholders, to discuss those challenges, including the issue of violence against children,” said Dr Gwajima.
She further stated that the identifications for caregivers across the country in various communities will be helpful to Social Welfare Officers in facilitating communication and providing prompt support to children, reducing the likelihood of them fleeing home to live and work on the streets.
The learning exchange visit will also provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the strategies, policies and practices that have contributed to Uganda’s successful transition from institutional-based to familybased care systems.
The programme includes engagements with the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development to discuss care reform progress, visits to institutions that have transitioned to community-based services and meetings with foster families.
