Advocating for Child Protection in Tanzania

Policy Dialogue

Human Rights & Civ. Soc.

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problem & solution

The Tanzanian government had allocated only few resources to child protection efforts. Relevant policies and regulations were in place, but were not implemented due to limited resources. Child protection committees were expected to lead policies, plans and systems, that respond to child protection, but did not engage effectively in the enforcement of existing policies and guidelines.

The solution was to adopt a dialogue approach in all interventions, instead of combative advocacy, and to use media presence at stakeholders’ meetings to compel duty bearers to act, while also engaging target audiences through social media as a powerful, cheap and user-friendly tool for social mobilization.

the experience

SOS CV Tanzania’s interventions targeted mainly local government authorities, while also leading an advocacy for more budget allocation at the national level.
Following a risk assessment, SOS realized that it was better to engage directly with the relevant ministry, since the national government was not transparent on resource allocation.
A change in the tax collection system led SOS to find a different approach for budget reallocation. Among other interventions, SOS invested in building capacities of local government authorities, community-based organizations and other partners in the program areas on resource mobilization.

01

Challenges

01

Media staff felt intimidated by political leaders to report on critical issues
Government leaders fluctuation interfered with the advocacy efforts of SOS

02

Impact

02

Increase in budget allocation for vulnerable children
Recruitment of new social protection officers for children departments of the government
Strengthening of community-based organizations to minimize the cost of Policy Dialogue

03

Lessons Learned

03

Engaging directly with the target groups via social media i.e. is more effective than mainstream media
Adopting a human rights based approach is more sustainable and less risky
Building relationships with offices is more effective than with individual politicians

Umsetzungszeitraum 2017 - 2019

Ort Dar es-Salaam, Tanzania

Kontakt National Office