Ireland has contributed Sh140.8 million towards restoring a fire-damaged community resource centre in Tanga Region and supported the establishment of 12 school child protection desks to help pupils report abuse and improve their safety.
Ireland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Nicola Brennan, announced the support when she reopened the UZIKWASA Resource Centre and launched the desks at Funguni Primary School in Pangani during a visit to the organisation’s projects to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
Ms Brennan said protecting girls from harmful practices, particularly child marriage, was essential to safeguarding their rights and educational opportunities. ‘Our longstanding partnership with Tanga, which dates back to the 1970s, reflects Ireland’s continued commitment to supporting community development, gender equality, healthcare and initiatives that improve people’s lives, including the work being done by UZIKWASA,’ she said.
She added that safe learning environments were crucial to keeping girls in school and enabling them to pursue their ambitions without fear of violence.
UZIKWASA Executive Director Novatus Urassa said the desks had been established in collaboration with Pangani District Council’s social welfare office and education stakeholders to make it easier for pupils to report abuse.
The pilot programme covers 12 schools, comprising seven primary and five secondary schools. About 160 pupils and adult stakeholders have participated in orientation sessions and joint planning to clarify responsibilities and improve coordination in handling child protection cases.
Mr Urassa said each desk included confidential reporting boxes, designated spaces for private discussions and referral arrangements to connect children with appropriate support.
The systems are intended to help pupils report abuse occurring both inside and outside school, while protecting their privacy and ensuring cases are handled appropriately.
Representatives from participating schools have helped design the reporting mechanisms to make them accessible and trustworthy. Discussions involving pupils and adults have focused on barriers to reporting abuse, confidentiality and procedures for handling allegations, including those involving school staff.
Mr Urassa said schools, working under the guidance of the District Social Welfare Officer, were developing confidential record-keeping systems, referral procedures and monitoring arrangements.
UZIKWASA will continue supporting the schools as it works with communities and local government authorities to sustain the initiative.
The Pangani-based civil society organisation has spent 22 years challenging harmful social norms and promoting community-led change through leadership development, public dialogue and community media.
The child protection desks are expected to strengthen early reporting and responses to abuse, helping create safer learning environments for girls and other pupils.