The rise in gender-based violence against children is a growing concern, with most cases occurring within families and communities.
Incidents of murder, defilement, rape, early pregnancies, and extreme physical abuse continue to escalate, highlighting the need for urgent intervention.
As the world emphasizes equal rights for women, girls, and children, there is also a strong call to eliminate gender-based violence and ensure the protection of children.
Various organizations have been working to provide education on early pregnancies and child protection, but legal barriers remain a major challenge.
One such legal issue is the marriage law that allows girls under 14 to marry with court, parental, or guardian consent.
Despite the Court of Appeal ruling to amend sections 13 and 17 of this law, the government remains silent, leaving young girls vulnerable.
Another problematic law is the 2004 Employment and Labor Relations Act, which fails to protect children, particularly girls, from exploitation, leading to early pregnancies, harassment, and school dropouts.
Speaking at an awareness session on gender-based violence for Form One students at Mbeya Day Secondary School, Feristar Wiston, a Community Development Officer at MIICO, highlighted the organization's efforts in combating gender-based violence.
She emphasized that the campaign is ongoing, with last year's session covering all levels from Form One to Form Five.
This year, the focus is on new Form One students who missed the training at their previous schools.
Wiston noted that the training equips students with knowledge on gender-based violence, its warning signs, and where to report cases.
She reiterated that MIICO and the Rural Women’s Forum focus on addressing gender-based violence whenever they meet.
Mary Temba, the Deputy Head of Mbeya Secondary School, expressed gratitude for the training, emphasizing the importance of educating young students on self-awareness and gender-based violence.
She urged MIICO and the Rural Women’s Forum to continue their efforts, as gender-based violence affects students both at home and in school. She also called for more stakeholders to join in spreading awareness beyond Form One classes.
David Mtulo, Assistant Police Inspector and Head of the Gender Desk in Mbeya City, explained that the unit focuses on educating people about gender-based violence, investigating related crimes such as rape and defilement, and offering counseling services.
He noted that the police have partnered with MIICO and other organizations to raise awareness and launched the "Tell Us Before They Ruin You" campaign in 2024.
This initiative targets Form One and Form Five students, as well as first-year college students, and is part of ongoing police education efforts.
Mtulo emphasized the importance of parental guidance in children's upbringing to help prevent gender-based violence.
He urged parents and guardians to be actively involved in their children's lives to protect them from harm.
Debora Mwakimbombaki, a Form One student at Mbeya Secondary School, advised her peers to avoid engaging in adult activities, as these can have serious consequences at their young age.
She expressed concern over cases where elderly men impregnate young girls and urged her fellow students to put God first and make wise life choices.
Gabriel Iman, another Form One student, stressed that gender-based violence negatively affects victims psychologically.
He encouraged students to protect themselves and report any cases of abuse immediately.
The ongoing efforts to educate students about gender-based violence are essential in empowering them to recognize, prevent, and report such incidents.
Continued collaboration among stakeholders will further strengthen the fight against this pressing issue.