Tanzania

Tanzania is one of Africa's fastest-growing economies,youth under age 15 making up 45 percent of the country's population of 55 million. Tanzania has made important steps toward protecting children, including through child justice reform. Nonetheless, violence, (sexual) exploitation, and abuse are realities for many children and adolescents in Tanzania. Those at greatest risk include children living with disabilities, those suffering extreme poverty, girls and boys in institutional care and children separated from their families or on the move. Terre des Hommes Netherlands in Tanzania aims to protect children from all forms of violence, which is critical for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to education, gender equality, and health.

Children forming a row in front of school

Children in Tanzania

Many children in Tanzania experience violence, neglect and exploitation. The prevalence of child marriage remains high, many girls and boys experience sexual violence during childhood, and children and adolescents are increasingly exposed to online protection risks.

The practice of physical violence is deeply rooted in cultural beliefs and norms, and further reinforced by legal frameworks that legitimise physical discipline of children at home and in schools. Domestic violence is also generally accepted in families.

More than twice the number of girls (28%) than boys (13%) experience some form of sexual violence before turning 18. Orphans are more vulnerable to sexual and emotional abuse. 8% of children under 18 years of age are orphans.

Additionally, 36% of women (25–49 years) were married before the age of 18. This exposes young girls to the risk of violence. Close to three-quarters of 13 to 17-year-olds report having been slapped, punched, beaten or threatened with a weapon by a relative, authority figure or intimate partner. Furthermore ,a quarter of children have been called bad names, made to feel unwanted or threatened with abandonment, all of which constitute emotional abuse.

Abuse is rarely reported as the perpetrators are usually known to the abused child. Children also do not know where to go for care, treatment and support. Very few children have birth certificates, making it difficult to access social services and legal protection.

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"Female genital mutilation is a violation of human rights, health, integrity and personal development of girls and women, stripping them of their childhood and excluding them from education. It cannot be justified as a cultural or traditional practice. Even if you are not directly affected, it is important we create a world where everyone has zero tolerance for FGM."

Josephine Akiru

Country Director, Uganda and Acting County Director, Tanzania

Our work in Tanzania

In Tanzania, Terre des Hommes Netherlands works with communities, government, private sector, civil society organisations and children themselves, to address systemic and structural drivers that expose children to exploitation.

Child Trafficking

Sexual Exploitation

Femal Genital Mutilation

Support for Children with Disabilities

Child Labour

Our Approach: Children at the Centre

Children are at the centre of everything we do. We support them to get access to education and other skills development so they can eventually find jobs to earn better incomes to enhance their opportunities to live a decent and dignified life. We build their resilience and facilitate their empowerment. And we help them amplify their voice, opening opportunities to speak up to those with the power to realise systemic change.

Strengthening child protection

We educate parents and communities. We build the capacity of local structures to effectively prevent, detect, report and respond to child exploitation. We collaborate with other actors to influence strengthening of the legal and policy environment for better promotion and protection of children’s rights.

Girls at the Masanga rescue centre, Tanzania

Our programmes

Ongoing

Veel meisjes in Tanzania worden genitaal verminkt

GIVE a voice to exploited children with disabilities in Tanzania

In Tanzania, many girls undergo Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The practice is illegal, yet approximately 7.…

Learn about our programmes

Our partners in Tanzania

Together with experienced partners we are working towards a world without child exploitation, where young people can feel safe today and better about tomorrow. Join our fight.

Association for the Termination of Female Genital Mutilation (ATFGM)

Visit the website of ATFGM

Kiota Women Health and Development (KIWOHEDE)