The government has urged organisations working on children’s welfare to coordinate their interventions and share areas of operation to avoid duplication as Tanzania moves to establish children’s councils across the country.
Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Advocate Amon Mpanju, said development partners should map their activities to establish who was working in which areas and on what issues.
He said better coordination would help ensure children in different parts of the country benefit from the councils instead of some areas receiving multiple interventions while others are left out.
Mr Mpanju was speaking in Dodoma on September 11, 2026, after launching regulations governing the establishment, operation and coordination of children’s councils.
The councils are expected to provide a platform through which children can learn about their rights, develop their talents and participate in discussions on issues affecting their lives.
“It should not remain just words spoken on a platform. We need to conduct mapping to know who is doing what and where to ensure the councils are effectively established, operated, monitored and evaluated,” Mr Mpanju said.
He said the mapping should cover the entire process, from establishing the councils to coordinating their operations, monitoring implementation and evaluating their performance.
Mr Mpanju directed ministry officials to work with the President’s Office—Regional Administration and Local Government (Tamisemi) to ensure the councils are established across the country and that development partners have a clear framework for coordinating their work.
The move comes as the government seeks to strengthen structures that give children a greater voice in matters concerning their rights, welfare and future.
However, Chairman of the National Children’s Council, Daniel Magembe, said the councils would need adequate financial support to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
He thanked the government for giving the councils legal recognition but called for specific budget allocations to support their operations.
Mr Magembe said the council’s executive committee had also proposed several reforms, including changes to the 1971 Marriage Act, particularly provisions relating to the age of marriage.
The council also recommended improvements to infrastructure used by children to ensure it meets current needs and standards.