Tanzania: Multi sector national plan of action to prevent and respond to violence against children 2013-2016

In August 2011, the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children (MCDGC) launched the Violence against Children Survey (VACS) report which highlights that sexual, physical and emotional violence against children is a serious public health, human rights and social problem in Tanzania. This was a landmark event: for the first time all key Ministries came together to publicly acknowledge the extent of child protection concerns in the country and, crucially, to make concrete commitments to tackle the problem.

The results of the survey have helped the government of Tanzania, through the Multi-Sector Task Force that has coordinated the Study, to enhance efforts to break the silence around violence and establish a stronger foundation for a child protection system in the country.