Violence against children in Tanzania increased by 7pc in 2018, says Minister

Dodoma. Cases of violence against children and elderly increased by seven per cent to 14,419 in 2018, deputy Minister for health Dr Faustine Ndugulile told Parliament today.

Dr Ndugulile was responding to a question asked in the National Assembly by Ulanga MP Goodluck Mlinga (CCM).

Mr Mlinga wanted to know if the government had ever conducted any research to reveal the sources of the violence against children and the elderly.

Dr Ndugulile said the violence included rape (5557 cases), teenage pregnancy (2692 cases), sodomy (1159 cases) and assault (965 cases).

He also mentioned leading regions with the number of cases in bracket as Tanga (1039), Mbeya 1001), Mwanza (809), Arusha (792) and Tabora (618).

"We conducted a research in collaboration with Unicef in 2009 and the outcome revealed that 60 per cent of the violence cases happened at home by people close to the children and 40 per cent happened in schools," said Dr Ndugulile.

"These incidents were fuelled by superstitious beliefs, poverty and outdated cultural beliefs," he said.

"The government will continue with campaigns to end violence and protect the children and elderly who are a treasure," he added.

Mr Mlinga also added that there are some negative cultural practices which are embraced by certain communities in Tanzania that promote violence.