Tanzania

Tanzania is the first country in Africa to undertake a ‘National Study on Violence against Children’- for the first time measuring all forms of violence (sexual, physical and emotional) amongst girls and boys. This study revealed that sexual, physical and emotional violence are common for children growing up in Tanzania, and the perpetrators of this violence are often near and known to the children. It highlights in particular the vulnerability of girls to sexual violence and the negative health consequences of these experiences in their childhoods and beyond (Unicef, 2011). There are various projects set up for children across Tanzania but child-centred mental health services are lacking.

• 75% of children are victims of physical violence

• 1/3 of girls aged 13-24 experience at least one incident of sexual violence before the age of 18

• According to WHO, acts of violence cause more death and disability than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents and wars combined

• 72% of girls have experienced some form of physical violence in their childhood 

• Statistics show that violence prompts an increase in the number of street children

•  25% of girls are subjected to emotional abuse before the age of 18

In June 2014 we trained children’s workers from across Tanzania at the Arusha Mental Health Trust (AMHT). AMHT was founded in 1996 on the streets of Arusha; it grew out of a great need to offer basic mental health care to this growing population at a time where there were no active mental health services available. Twenty-four children’s workers from across the country attended, these included social workers, counsellors, orphanage workers, teachers, psychologists, those working with street children and nurses. Our CATT training course was incredibly successful with 100% pass rate. The diversity of the group made for an extremely productive week of skills sharing and created an incredibly supportive environment in which to learn and share cases.