Hassan Magulumali
Citizens and children’s rights stakeholders held peaceful marches on Saturday to express their sorrow and grief over the increase in incidents of violence against children in Tanzania.
Gathered with the aim of mobilizing urgent action to protect the welfare of children, the participants have been saddened by recent incidents of rape, sexual abuse, kidnapping, and even murder of young children.
Recent reports confirm the deteriorating situation of children’s safety, with a sad example being the case of a six-month-old child who was raped and murdered in Dodoma district.
In addition, another incident of a thirteen-year-old boy who was raped and murdered along with his mother has shocked and aroused anger from citizens. These incidents are increasing as the accountability of law enforcement agencies is described as weak in arresting, investigating and bringing suspects to justice.
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Citizens recalled that statistics show a 57 percent increase in incidents of homosexuality, from 1,205 cases in 2020 to 2,488 in 2023. Similarly, rape incidents have increased from 6,827 in 2022 to 8,691 in 2023. Stakeholders have continued to condemn these events as affecting the future of the nation and undermining children’s rights.
“At this time it is important for us as citizens, parents, guardians, and teachers to take decisive action to protect our children. Child protection requires the cooperation of the whole community, and we cannot remain silent when the future of our children is endangered by atrocities”, said one of the speakers at the protest.
Citizens have also called on the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, as well as the Police Force, to step up efforts in monitoring these cases and ensure that justice is done quickly for the victims of the atrocities.
