By The Respondent Reporter
Tanzania’s Sixth Phase Government, under President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has significantly advanced institutional reforms and infrastructure investments aimed at protecting and promoting children’s rights, according to Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima.
Speaking at the national commemoration of the Day of the African Child held in Dar es Salaam on Tuesday, Dr. Gwajima emphasized the administration’s commitment to safeguarding children’s rights through cross-sectoral policy implementation and systemic improvements in social services.
“In just four years under President Samia’s leadership, Tanzania has made measurable progress in operationalizing the rights of children by strengthening health systems, expanding access to education, and investing in child protection mechanisms,” Gwajima said at the Social Welfare Institute grounds in Kijitonyama.
The event, which brought together government leaders, development partners, and child representatives, was held under the theme: “Children’s Rights: Where We Came From, Where We Are, and Where We Are Going.” The theme reflects on progress since the 2008 National Child Development Policy and calls for renewed focus on implementation gaps.
Among the core achievements cited was a major expansion in maternal and child health infrastructure. The government has commissioned six zonal referral hospitals, 28 regional hospitals, 129 district hospitals, 345 health centers, and 1,158 dispensaries part of a strategic approach to uphold a child’s right to life and healthcare.
In the education sector, data from the President’s Office – Regional Administration and Local Government indicate that the number of public primary schools rose from 16,406 in 2021 to 17,986 in the 2024/25 fiscal year. The expansion aims to close the education access gap and is aligned with national human capital development goals.
Tanzania has also undertaken legal reforms to strengthen child protection. Updates to the Child Act (Cap 13), the Cybercrimes Act (Cap 443), and the Legal Aid Act (Cap 23) have introduced new provisions to address online exploitation, abuse, and improve access to justice for minors.
These reforms form part of a broader strategy to enhance legal and institutional safeguards for children, amidst rising concern over cases of child abuse and neglect nationwide.
Permanent Secretary Dr. John Jingu underscored the importance of multi-stakeholder coordination. “The government continues to work closely with international partners, civil society, and community leaders to ensure sustained awareness and enforcement of child rights across all regions,” he said.
UNICEF Country Representative Elke Wisch reaffirmed the UN agency’s support, noting: “Our partnership with the Government of Tanzania remains focused on building a protective environment for every child, especially through scaling up access to quality services and preventing violence.”
Daniel Maghembe, Chairperson of Tanzania’s Children’s Council, commended the government’s efforts and appealed for increased accountability in the enforcement of child protection laws.
“We recognize the progress made, but call for deeper investments in implementation especially at the community level where many children still face risks,” he said.
In a joint appeal, child delegates called on parents, guardians, and local leaders to prioritize children's wellbeing, calling the right to safety, education, non-discrimination, participation, and development non-negotiable in a modern society.
As Tanzania looks ahead, the government signals intent to continue mainstreaming child rights across national development plans, aligning with both domestic priorities and international obligations such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and Agenda 2063 of the African Union.
President Samia’s administration, facing both domestic social equity challenges and global scrutiny over human rights, has positioned child welfare as a cornerstone of inclusive development—marking a critical shift in public policy direction.