The government has called on parents and guardians to take greater responsibility for protecting children from abuse, saying stronger family involvement is critical to preventing violence before it occurs.
Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Maryprisca Mahundi said child protection should begin at household level, rather than leaving the government to intervene after children have already suffered abuse.
She said parents and guardians needed to strengthen supervision, maintain close relationships with their children and provide guidance to help them recognise and avoid situations that could threaten their safety.
Ms Mahundi made the remarks in Dodoma on November 2, 2026, while responding to questions from MPs on government efforts to educate girls and communities about reporting abuse and other forms of violence.
She emphasised that the responsibility of protecting children could not be left to government institutions alone, arguing that families were the first line of defence against abuse.
Parents, she said, should create an environment in which children feel safe to communicate their concerns and report incidents without fear, while instilling positive values that promote responsible behaviour.
The deputy minister said the government was complementing family efforts through the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (MTAKUWWA), which involves sectoral committees operating from the national level to villages and streets.
The programme is intended to strengthen public awareness and mobilise communities to prevent violence, identify abuse and encourage victims or witnesses to report incidents.
Ms Mahundi said community policing structures in every ward were also involved in educating residents, providing another channel through which communities could be reached with information on preventing and reporting abuse.
She added that the Ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports was working with stakeholders, including traditional leaders and media organisations, to promote public awareness and strengthen efforts to address violence.
The government's approach, she said, required cooperation between families, community leaders, public institutions and other stakeholders to ensure children were protected.
Ms Mahundi urged citizens from all walks of life to work together to eliminate violence, stressing that children needed safe environments in which they could enjoy their rights, develop their potential and pursue their ambitions.
Her remarks place renewed emphasis on the role of families in child protection, with government awareness campaigns and community structures expected to reinforce efforts to prevent abuse and improve reporting.