Pictured on the left is Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, Tanzania’s Minister of Social Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups, while on the far right is Sebastian Kitiku, Director of Children’s Development at the Ministry, during their participation in the Abu Dhabi Segment. Photo: Courtesy
By Mutayoba Arbogast
The Child Protection Summit in Abu Dhabi, held April 4-5, 2024, emerged as a critical platform to tackle the growing crisis of online child abuse and violence.
The event highlighted the power of international collaboration to protect children navigating the digital landscape.
In his keynote address, Lt. General HH Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, called for united efforts among governments, private sectors, and civil society to build an online environment where children can explore and thrive without fear.
He emphasized the shared responsibility to counter cyber threats targeting the most vulnerable members of society.
Attendees, representing diverse sectors and countries, were shown an introductory video spotlighting the summit’s goals and the stark realities of child abuse, including statistical evidence of its prevalence. They collectively agreed that international partnerships are indispensable for combatting these crimes effectively.
Globally, it is estimated that over 300 million children fall victim to online sexual abuse and exploitation annually. The grim reality of these numbers resonated with Tanzanian delegates at the summit, including Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, the country’s Minister of Social Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups. Dr. Gwajima shared efforts underway in Tanzania to address these challenges.
A 2022 study conducted by the Tanzanian government and UNICEF revealed that 67% of children aged 12 to 17 access the internet, with 4% subjected to various forms of online violence. These include encounters with predators who exploit online networks to harm children.
Responding to these findings, Tanzania has initiated a series of programs aimed at reducing the risks children face online and in their communities.
Dr. Gwajima emphasized the importance of parental vigilance, particularly during school holidays when children spend more time online.
She urged parents to monitor their children’s use of electronic devices, limit screen time, and encourage balanced activities to safeguard against risks such as addiction and harmful online interactions.
In February 2024, she launched the National Advisory Committee on the Protection and Safety of Children Online, along with a nationwide campaign to educate children, parents, teachers, and communities about the dangers lurking in cyberspace.
The committee, composed of government leaders, NGOs, and private sector representatives, is tasked with implementing action plans to shield children from online violence.
The impact of Tanzania’s broader child protection initiatives has been significant. A government program introduced in 2021 to reintegrate girls who left school due to pregnancy has seen numbers rise from 7,000 to 14,000.
This demonstrates a growing commitment to ensuring every child has the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment.
Meanwhile, in the fight against internet-based threats, Neema Lugangira, a Tanzanian MP and founder of Omuka Hub, continues to lead the charge.
Lugangira, also the founding chair of the African Parliamentary Network on Internet Governance (APNIG), has been an outspoken advocate for updating laws to enhance protections for children online.
Her efforts aim to raise awareness about internet violence, particularly online sexual violence, and to ensure that digital safety becomes a top legislative priority.
The summit also shed light on the duality of growing up online. While the internet offers limitless opportunities for learning, creativity, and social connection, it also exposes children to risks like cyberbullying, hate speech, and harmful content.
Tech companies’ misuse of data, aggressive child-targeted marketing, and excessive screen time add further layers of concern for children’s mental and physical well-being.
Disturbingly, more than a third of young people in 30 countries report experiencing cyberbullying, with one in five skipping school due to its impact. The summit reinforced the urgency of creating a safer online environment, free from these threats.
The delegates, including global leaders, experts, and child advocates, left the summit with a renewed sense of purpose.
They reiterated the need for collective action, education, and stronger legal frameworks to combat online exploitation and abuse. They also underscored the necessity of technological innovation to protect children from emerging digital threats.
For Tanzania, the summit reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding children in both the digital and physical realms.
As the country continues its efforts, from introducing special desks in schools to hosting campaigns for online safety, the broader message remains clear: children’s safety is a shared global responsibility.
The Abu Dhabi Summit brought into sharp focus the challenges and opportunities of the digital age. It called on nations to collaborate, innovate, and act decisively to ensure that every child can dream, learn, and grow without fear.
The road ahead is long, but the commitment displayed at the summit inspires hope for a safer future for children everywhere.