The Effectiveness of Formal and Informal Community-Based Child Protection Mechanisms in Rural Areas of Tanzania: Evidences from Selected World Vision Tanzania Projects

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the helpfulness of formal and informal community based child protection systems in rural set up in Tanzania using four World Vision Tanzania Projects (Kongwa ADP, Lake Eyasi ADP, Mntinko ADP and Makindube ADP). Specifically, the study aimed at establishing the proportion of children who are living free from harmful practices; examining the operations of the formal and informal community based child protection mechanisms and assessing community mechanisms for reporting of child abuse cases. A total of 1,873 respondents including parents or caregivers, children aged 12-18 years, community members and duty bearers (VEOs, Police, Social Workers and Teachers) were involved in the study. Data were collected using questionnaire, semi-structured interview, focus group discussions, documentary review and field observations. Data entry was done using CSPro then posted to Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Study findings showed both formal and informal community based child protection mechanisms exist but not effective and efficiency. This implies that, children in rural areas are not adequately protected as such they might be easily abused, exploited and molested. It is recommended that, government should capacitate and train duty bearers in rural areas so that they effectively prevent and respond to child protection issues in the community.

Key Words: Child Protection Mechanism, Rural, Effectiveness, World Vision, Community-Based