Child Protection

The Act defines child protection[1] as the prevention of and response to all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence against children. To achieve this, the Act outlines various measures to protect children, including the establishment of Child Protection Committees (CPCs) at the village, ward, and district levels to identify and respond to cases of child abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence. The Act also requires that any person who has reason to believe that a child is in need of protection report the matter to the nearest CPC, police station, or social welfare officer. The Act provides for the issuance of child protection orders, which may be granted by a court to protect a child from harm or to remove a child from a harmful environment. The Act also promotes alternative care for children who are unable to live with their families due to abuse, neglect, or other reasons. This includes foster care, kinship care, and institutional care.

Furthermore, the Act recognizes the importance of involving children in decisions that affect their lives and encourages their active participation in child protection processes. The Act's provisions are guided by the principle of the best interests of the child, which requires that all actions taken to protect children must prioritize the child's well-being and respect for their rights. In this way, the Law of the Child Act of Tanzania aims to ensure that children are protected from all forms of harm and that their rights are respected and upheld. Childrens are protected from a number of harmful behaviors as provided by part III of the Law of The Child Act.

---

[1] UNICEF. (2019). Child Protection from Violence, Exploitation, and Abuse. Retrieved from https://rb.gy/vzudu (Accessed April 18, 2023)