Parents behind most child abuse cases – World Vision

BARIADI: THE World Vision Tanzania has revealed that most incidents of violence and abuse against children are committed by parents or guardians, either knowingly or unknowingly, a situation that has contributed to the persistence of such acts.

The organisation said there is still a strong need for education and awareness to curb child abuse, which continues to affect many children, particularly in rural communities.

Speaking recently during a public dialogue on violence against children held yesterday in Bariadi Town, Simiyu Region, World Vision Tanzania Advocacy Coordinator, Ms Ester Mungi, said violence against children remains widespread.

The dialogue brought together children, regional leaders, councillors and experts from Meatu and Maswa district councils. Ms Mungi emphasised the importance of strengthening children’s councils in schools as a key step towards addressing the problem.

She said strong children’s councils would enable pupils to understand their rights and report cases of violence committed against them by parents or guardians.

“Children’s councils in schools are very important. If a child experiences violence and a parent or guardian comes to report, appropriate measures will be taken and these acts will be stopped,” she said.

During the dialogue, some children admitted that parents or guardians subject them to various forms of abuse, particularly forcing girls into early marriages in pursuit of property or wealth.

A child from Meatu District, Ester Suleimani, said parents often pressure girls to drop out of school so that they can be married off, a situation she said destroys their future ambitions.

ALSO READ: Child abuse, absenteeism undermine education in Chamwino

“They begin by stopping you from going to school. Sometimes they force you to work on school days, sending you to farms, to herd livestock or to do household chores so that you eventually drop out,” she explained.

Another participant, Mathias Shomali from Maswa District, said many abused children grow up in fear and fail to report incidents to the relevant authorities.

“Many children are afraid of being isolated, beaten or subjected to more mistreatment if they report abuse by their parents or guardians. Such incidents are very common in rural areas,” he said.

Simiyu Regional Commissioner, Mr Annamringi Macha, who also attended the dialogue, used the occasion to ban parents and guardians from using children, especially in livestock herding activities.