Urgent Action Needed to Combat Child Poverty and Secure Tanzania’s Future

Tanzania's average personal wealth surged from $250 in 2000 to an impressive $948 today, according to the World Bank. Photo: Courtesy.

By Adonis Byemelwa

Child poverty in Tanzania is a devastating crisis that robs countless young lives of their potential, perpetuating a cycle of deprivation and hardship. In Tanzania, as in many parts of the world, children's rights to food, water, healthcare, and education are often unmet.

This deprivation is particularly severe in regions like Shinyanga Municipality and Kisarawe District, where families struggle daily to meet even the most basic needs. Children in these areas bear the brunt of relentless poverty, their stories stark reminders of the immediate and long-term impacts of economic inequality on the most vulnerable members of society.

David Shiija, a father from Ibadakuli Ward in Shinyanga Municipality, grapples with the heart-wrenching reality of his children's hunger and lack of medical care. "It's heartbreaking to see my children suffer from hunger and illness," he shares.

Similarly, Masunga Dwasi from Mwakitolya Ward fights an uphill battle to provide for his family. "Every day is a battle to keep my family fed and safe," he laments. In the Kisarawe District's Homboza village, Shida Kidimi faces the grim challenge of securing education for her children amidst dire poverty. "My children can't attend school because we can't afford uniforms or books," she says. These testimonies highlight the profound and pervasive impact of child poverty, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive solutions.

The plight of child poverty is starkly evident in the experiences of Alkidonyi Mkini, a resident of Nanja Ward in Monduli District, whose children wear rags and have nostrils stained with flu. "It's heartbreaking to see my children dressed in tattered clothes and constantly ill," Alkidonyi confides. Similarly, Lengai Kapere from Mto wa Mbu Ward in Monduli District faces immense difficulties. "My children often miss school because we can't afford necessities," he explains, highlighting the barriers to education that further entrench the cycle of poverty.

Health and education also play crucial roles, albeit to a lesser extent than living standards. Photo: Courtesy.

Child poverty is a critical issue with profound implications for the future of any society. A recent study by Lilian Edwin Nchia from the Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre offers a detailed examination of this complex problem.

 Nchia's research, utilizing data from the 2017/2018 Household Budget Survey and employing logistic regression analysis, unveils the stark reality that nearly three-quarters of urban households with children face deprivation. With a significant portion of Tanzanian children living in poverty, the study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address this issue.

The findings reveal that the standard of living is the most significant contributor to child poverty, accounting for over 80% of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Deprivation indicators include lack of access to necessities such as cooking fuel, sanitation, safe drinking water, electricity, and proper flooring.

Despite an average household size of six members and being predominantly headed by men over 40 years old with secondary or higher education, two-thirds of children live in impoverished conditions.

Nchia's research, based on the 2017/2018 Household Budget Survey, highlights that nearly three-quarters of urban households with children in Tanzania face deprivation.

 The study highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address child poverty, revealing that the standard of living contributes to over 80% of the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI). Lack of access to necessities like cooking fuel, sanitation, safe drinking water, electricity, and proper flooring exacerbates the issue.

Despite an average household size of six members and predominantly educated male heads over 40 years old, two-thirds of Tanzanian children live in impoverished conditions, emphasizing the impact of inadequate living standards regardless of education. Health and education also play crucial roles, with child nutrition and schooling years being vital poverty indicators.

The study highlights a significant urban-rural divide, with rural households facing more severe deprivation, necessitating targeted policies for rural development. Emphasizing a multidimensional approach to poverty measurement, Nchia's research utilizes the Alkire and Foster methodology, providing a comprehensive analysis of child poverty in Tanzania.

The policy implications are profound, urging policymakers to allocate resources effectively, particularly in Tanzania's five poorest regions: Mtwara, Lindi, Kagera, Mara, and Shinyanga. Globally, child poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa remains pressing, with 88% of Tanzanian children lacking essentials like nutrition, healthcare, and education, despite national commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals. Addressing child poverty demands immediate action to ensure a brighter future for Tanzania's most vulnerable citizens.

A study by Lilian Edwin Nchia from the Eastern Africa Statistical Training Centre offers a detailed roadmap for tackling child poverty in Tanzania. Nchia advocates for improvements in living conditions and equitable access to essential services.

 By addressing these areas, there is hope for significant reductions in child poverty, providing a brighter future for Tanzania’s youngest and most vulnerable citizens. This comprehensive approach is not only vital for the children’s immediate well-being but also for the long-term development and prosperity of the nation.

To put this into perspective, consider how developed countries approach child poverty. In many of these nations, child poverty is defined not only by income levels but also by access to healthcare, education, and basic living standards.

For instance, in countries like Sweden and Germany, child poverty is tackled through robust social safety nets, universal healthcare, and free education. These countries recognize that ensuring children have access to nutritious food, safe housing, and quality education is fundamental to breaking the cycle of poverty.

 In the United States, while child poverty remains a challenge, programs like Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and Head Start aim to provide children from low-income families with the resources they need to thrive.

These examples highlight the importance of a multidimensional approach to poverty, similar to what Nchia advocates for in Tanzania. By implementing similar strategies—improving living conditions, ensuring access to essential services, and focusing on comprehensive well-being—Tanzania can make significant strides in reducing child poverty.

 Nchia’s study underlines the urgency of these measures and provides a clear path forward. The time to act is now, ensuring that every child in Tanzania has the opportunity to lead a healthy, educated, and prosperous life.

Seventy-four percent of Tanzanian children live in severe multidimensional poverty, a situation that threatens the country's developmental and economic growth. This alarming statistic has prompted the European Union to allocate Sh25 billion to Tanzania, aimed at improving children's lives over the next five years.

Speaking at the launch of the Report on the State of Child Poverty in Tanzania on August 15, 2016, then-Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Dr. Ashatu Kijaji, highlighted that out of the 25.3 million children in Tanzania, 29% suffer from income poverty.

 Dr. Kijaji emphasized that Tanzanian children face additional deprivations in education, nutrition, healthcare, safety, access to essential information, clean environments, and adequate housing. The government plans to address these issues in the second development plan, which will allocate Sh 18 billion to tackle these challenges.

Emilian Karugendo, the Project Manager for Household Survey Monitoring from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), stated that poverty hinders children from contributing to the nation's future prosperity and the 2015 global development goals.

He urged parents to invest in their children and provide essential needs for the betterment of the nation's future. The study, conducted by the government in collaboration with various European Union organizations, aims to show how the government can address children's challenges to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2025. Without immediate action, the cycle of poverty will continue to impede Tanzania's growth and development.