Radio Programme: How TASAF, UNICEF will improve child nutrition

TANZANIA: IN Tanzania, the 2018 National Nutrition Survey conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Office of the Chief Government Statistician in Zanzibar (OCGS) revealed that nearly one in three children under the age of five, 31.8 per cent suffers from stunting, primarily caused by malnutrition.

This alarming statistic reflects not just numbers but also the risk to our children’s dreams and potential due to inadequate nutrition. The consequences of this crisis are severe, leading to increased child mortality, mental health issues, and chronic health problems that can persist into adulthood, trapping families in a cycle of poverty. These challenges harm not only individuals but also households and entire communities. Addressing these issues requires a unified societal effort.

To combat this urgent situation, the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) with in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and support from the World Bank launched the Stawisha Maisha programme in Mkuranga District, an initiative aimed at enhancing the health of children and future generations through improved nutrition. TASAF Executive Director Shadrack Mziray explained that this initiative, in collaboration with partners like UNICEF, seeks to facilitate behaviour change in communities.

Mziray further noted that the programme is part of the broader Productive Safety Net Programme (PSSN), stating, “Our goal is clear: to reduce malnutrition among children, particularly those from the most vulnerable households involved in the Safety Net Programme.”

Equally, he outlined how the programme aims to enhance human resource development and empower families to escape poverty. By prioritising education and support for mothers, infants and young children, we are addressing immediate health concerns while investing in the nation’s future.

The Stawisha Maisha programme comprises several key components intended to foster community change.

Educational and Entertaining Radio Programmes: Weekly broadcasts over six months will provide essential knowledge and encourage community discussions about better nutrition practices.

Distribution of Solar Powered Radios: These radios will facilitate group listening, promoting collective learning and the development of a culture of knowledge within households.

Community-Led Discussion Groups: Beneficiaries will lead discussions, sharing knowledge and experiences to motivate and problem-solve together.

The focus is on households with children under five, pregnant women and adolescent girls—crucial groups for achieving better nutritional outcomes.

Successes from the Pilot Phase

The pilot phase of the Stawisha Maisha project, conducted from 2018 to 2019 in Mbeya Rural and North B in Unguja, established a solid foundation for current efforts. This phase involved over 11,255 participants across 127 payment centres, aiming to enhance mothers’ understanding of nutrition through community workshops held every two months.

The current implementation has commenced in regions most affected by malnutrition—Rukwa, Ruvuma and Geita. So far, 1,858 groups have been formed across 18 administrative areas, including Mkuranga, benefiting 26,882 members.

Mziray expressed gratitude to partners, particularly UNICEF, for their invaluable support in the project’s design, creation and implementation from the pilot phase to the present.

As the Stawisha Maisha project unfolds, Mziray called on community leaders, parents, guardians and youth to join in this mission to transform lives. Together, we can build a healthier and more prosperous future for our children and our nation.

UNICEF’s commitment

At the launch of the Stawisha Maisha programme, UNICEF Deputy Representative to Tanzania, Lawrence Oundo, emphasised the importance of this initiative in addressing child malnutrition and stunting. He noted that while Tanzania has made strides in reducing stunting rates from 42 per cent in 2010 to 30 per cent in 2022 one in three children under five is still affected.

The highest rates of stunting are among the poorest households, highlighting the link between poverty and malnutrition.

The launch of Stawisha Maisha comes at a critical moment, aligning with national discussions on poverty reduction and health equity. Oundo underscored the programme’s goal to integrate these efforts into Tanzania’s Vision 2050, ensuring no child is left behind as the nation accelerates its development agenda.

Stawisha Maisha exemplifies collaboration between UNICEF, the Tanzanian government, TASAF and other key partners. By embedding Stawisha Maisha within the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) programme, the initiative combines financial assistance with a robust social behaviour change component, targeting improvements in feeding practices and access to nutritious food among vulnerable families.

The programme’s innovative approach leverages research demonstrating that combining economic support with nutrition education can significantly reduce malnutrition rates. The aim is to break the intergenerational cycle of malnutrition, poverty and poor health, ensuring future generations are not hindered by the same challenges as their parents.

Collaboration with the Tanzanian government and TASAF has already yielded remarkable results. UNICEF has provided funds and critical technical support and evidence-based insights to design and scale this initiative. Stawisha Maisha is transitioning from a UNICEF-supported initiative into a fully integrated national programme, reaching some of the country’s most vulnerable households and delivering benefits that extend beyond nutrition into broader human capital development.

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Investing in child nutrition is, in essence, investing in Tanzania’s future. As the programme continues, rigorous impact evaluations will assess effectiveness, measure impacts and identify improvements to maximise benefits for the children and families served.

Looking ahead

The full integration and scale-up of Stawisha Maisha promise transformative change across Tanzania. Through community engagement, peer-led discussions and innovative tools like solar-powered radios for nutrition education, we are already witnessing positive shifts in social behaviour that will tackle the root causes of malnutrition. These changes are poised to lead to lasting improvements in child health and nutrition, solidifying Stawisha Maisha as a cornerstone of Tanzania’s approach to social protection and child nutrition.

As Tanzania enhances its national social protection systems, there is a unique opportunity to ensure that child nutrition remains a central focus. With sustained commitment from the government, investments and partnerships, we can break the cycle of poverty and malnutrition.

We are dedicated to ensuring that every child in Tanzania can grow, thrive and reach their full potential.

Local initiatives in Mkuranga District

Mkuranga District Administrative Secretary (DAS) Omary Mwanga, highlighted that the district is implementing the TASAF Program through direct cash transfers, savings plans and temporary employment projects. From September 2020 to August 2024, Mkuranga received over 4.2 billion TZS in cash transfers for targeted beneficiaries.

Through the savings and investment plan, 309 groups have been established, with 205 registered in the Bank of Tanzania system, collectively saving over 71m/-. As of now, 104 groups are in the registration process to access equipment and resources for implementation.

For the fiscal year 2024- 2025, the council has identified 122 projects for temporary employment creation across 125 villages, with 83 focusing on tree planting, 27 on local roads, 10 on pedestrian crossings, one on irrigation ponds, and one on shallow wells.

The Stawisha Maisha programme aims to enhance nutrition for children aged 0-5, pregnant women and adolescent girls through radio education. Since its launch in August 2024, Stawisha Maisha groups have been formed in 13 wards and 19 villages, with 30 groups convening weekly to listen to programs focused on nutrition education.

The Mkuranga District Council is actively pursuing plans to improve community nutrition, particularly among vulnerable groups. Local revenue allocations support nutrition education initiatives, leading to participation from over 41,867 parents and caregivers.

Between July 2023 and September 2024, 167,680 children were screened for nutritional status. Among them, 55.3 per cent had good nutrition a 2.3 per cent increase compared to 2022. Rates of underweight children fell from 13.3 per cent to 10.0 per cent, wasting declined to 4.6 per cent and anemia dropped from 23.0 per cent to 20.3 per cent. However, stunting rose to 9.8 per cent, indicating ongoing challenges.

Among adolescents screened during National Nutrition Day, 26.5 per cent experienced wasting, and 46 per cent suffered from anaemia. Continued efforts are vital to improve adolescent nutrition for the well-being of the nation.