Tanga ill-treated kids sent back to abusers

Fifteen abused children have been deemed ready to be sent ‘home’, that is where the abuses and oppression took place, raising questions as to the ability of the concerned ‘desks’ to fully address the problem plaguing the nation.

The Gender and Children Desk in Tanga Region offered no details as to criteria used to decide it was safe for the children to return to the abusive parents and guardians, especially given the fact that most of them are sexual abuse cases.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the desk, Michael Lebba, revealed that of all cases filed at the desk, rape was the highest reported.

However, speaking at a Gender and Children desk evaluation meeting, the coordinator of the desk in the region, Yason Mnyanyi, made a point of thanking all stakeholders who apparently helped in the rehabilitation process but again no specifics were offers as to what aide the children received, what action was taken against the perpetrators and what initiatives are in place to better respond to abuse cases like emergency numbers, safe houses and legal policy to enforce the moral will.
He did, nonetheless mention of ‘several children’s abuse cases been filed in court for legal action’.

The Tanga Regional Police Commander, Constantine Massawe said violence and exploitation of children were increasing in society and acknowledged the lifelong psychological traumas the children suffer.

“…the rate and spread of violence against children and other forms of exploitation are increasing rapidly…we must act now… the Nation’s future is at stake… children's rights are been violated…" he lamented.

On 6 November 2009, Tanzania’s Parliament passed a bill known as the Law of the Child Act 2009.

This landmark legislation provides the legal framework through which the rights of the country’s children can be protected and realised.

The Law of the Child reflects many of the most serious challenges facing children in Tanzania today.

It addresses such issues as non-discrimination, the right to a name and nationality, the rights and duties of parents, the right to opinion and the right to protection from torture and degrading treatment.

The law lays out the system for ensuring justice for children, whether they come into contact with the legal system as offenders, witnesses or victims. And it defines processes to ensure protection for children without families, including international adoption.

But it does not address discrimination regarding to the legal age of marriage, which remains at 15 years for girls and 18 years for boys neither does it abolish corporal punishment.

With the Nation contributing to the Constitution review Commission that child rights will be given center stage.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN