We need to go beyond fighting child labour

We need to go beyond fighting child labour

Concerted efforts by the government, development partners and civil society to end child labour are certainly paying off, but much more needs to be done.

For instance, it was announced a few years ago that at least 12,000 young Tanzanians had been rescued from child labour in Geita Region alone, thanks to a tripartite initiative involving Plan International Tanzania, the European Union and the French government.

For many of the youth, hard labour for very little pay was certainly traumatic, and it was just as well that they were re-enrolled in school.

However, beneath the surface lie issues that need to be addressed critically. Topping the list is the monotonously cited, though ever-relevant slogan centred on the youth being the future of the nation.

The slogan would be more meaningful if the majority of Tanzanian youth were engaged in viable and sustainable economic activities that yield decent livelihoods, and comprise a substantial input in the national economy, but it is largely both theoretical and rhetorical.

The majority are a frustrated lot that have been condemned to idleness, dependence on relatives, drug abuse, petty crime and other anti-social tendencies.

It is a product of a shortage of employment opportunities and openings for meaningful self-reliance initiatives through start-up capital and skills training. It is a veritable “ticking time bomb”, which only needs a spark, as it were, to detonate and create mayhem.

The temptation for pupils, often with parental blessings, to venture into the hostile labour market stems from the sad fact that many see themselves as hopeless and cursed.

They feel that it is better to become exploited labourers at a young age than wait for other doors to open after completing school.

Moreover, an unfriendly schooling environment is a de-motivator for many youngsters. This must be addressed as should a post-school setup that offers opportunities for decent and sustainable livelihoods.

Time to prioritise hygiene

Lack of proper toilets seems to be a problem that has refused to go away in urban and rural areas alike. Reasons include poverty, ignorance, a rapidly increasing population, and unplanned development.

This partly explains why cholera and other communicable diseases caused by poor sanitation are almost permanent fixtures in places such as Dar es Salaam. The big question here is: what will it take to get each and every one of us to understand why it is important to ensure proper and adequate sewage disposal?

We may be well into the 21st century, but there are people who still think that it is perfectly in order to relieve themselves in the bush. Surveys show that proper toilets are not very high up on the list of priorities of a vast number of Tanzanians. They are simply not viewed as a necessity.

The education campaign the government has been conducting since the early days of independence needs to be supplemented with the strict enforcement of by-laws on proper sewage disposal.

Original Media Source

Share this news

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp

This Years Most Read News Stories

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response
Tanzania Foreign Investment News
Chief Editor

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Tanzania Declares Marburg Outbreak – Africa CDC Mobilizes Immediate Response

Addis Ababa, January 20, 2025</Strong> — Tanzania has declared a Marburg virus disease (MVD) outbreak after confirming one case and identifying 25 suspected cases in the Kagera Region of Northwestern Tanzania. The Marburg virus, a highly infectious and often fatal disease, is similar to Ebola and is transmitted to humans from fruit bats and monkeys. This outbreak marks the nation’s second encounter with the deadly virus, following the outbreak in Bukoba District of Kagera Region in March 2023, which resulted in nine cases and six deaths.

In response to this urgent threat, the Africa CDC is mobilizing strong support to help Tanzania contain the outbreak. A team of twelve public health experts will be deployed as part of an advance mission in the next 24 hours. The multidisciplinary team includes epidemiologists, risk communication, infection prevention and control (IPC), and laboratory experts to provide on-ground support for surveillance, IPC, diagnostics, and community engagement.

The Director-General of Africa CDC, Dr. Jean Kaseya, has engaged with Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan and the Minister of Health to ensure coordinated efforts and secure political commitment for the response.

“Africa CDC stands firmly with Tanzania in this critical moment. To support the government’s efforts, we are committing US$ 2 million to bolster immediate response measures, including deploying public health experts, strengthening diagnostics, and enhancing case management. Building on Tanzania’s commendable response during the 2023 outbreak, we are confident that swift and decisive action, combined with our support and those of other partners, will bring this outbreak under control,” Dr. Kaseya stated.

Africa CDC has recently supported efforts to enhance the diagnostic and sequencing capacity of public health laboratories in Tanzania. PCR Test kits and genomic sequencing reagents have been dispatched, with additional supplies in the pipeline. To ensure rapid identification and confirmation of cases, the institution will also provide technical assistance to strengthen detection and genome sequencing for better characterization of the pathogen. Additionally, support will be provided to improve case management protocols and enhance the capacity to deliver safe and effective treatment.

Africa CDC is committed to working closely with the Government of Tanzania, regional partners, international organizations, and global stakeholders, including the World Health Organization, to stop the spread of the Marburg virus.

Source: allafrica.com

Continue Reading