Witchcraft fears fuel child abandonment crisis in Tanzania

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania is witnessing a worrying rise in child abandonment cases, driven by economic hardships, mental health struggles, fear of rejection, and persistent beliefs in witchcraft, according to recent police reports and stakeholders.

Police data reveals that child abandonment cases increased by 10 percent between 2022 and 2023, rising from 169 to 186 incidents, as shown in the 2023 Tanzania Basic Statistics Report by the National Bureau of Statistics.

This surge persists despite the protections provided under the Children's Act No 21 of 2009, which guarantees children's rights to parental care, basic needs, and nationality.

Tanzania’s commitment to child protection is further underscored by its adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. Despite this, abandonment cases continue to rise.

Gender and child desks have been established in police stations nationwide, and the number of child protection centres has grown to 26. Additionally, the government has launched the second National Action Plan to combat violence against women and children.

Deputy minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Special Groups, Ms Mwanaidi Ali Khamis, said the government's efforts were directed at amending the Child Protection Act and raise public awareness.

“The government is working on amendments to the Child Protection Act. Public education efforts are ongoing, supported by police at the ward level,” she told The Citizen.

The country director for the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative, Edwick Mapalala, identified mental health issues, declining religious values, and societal self-centeredness as key factors contributing to child abandonment.

“It’s hard to imagine someone abandoning a child due to financial difficulties alone. Mental health struggles often play a significant role,” she explained.

The Head of the Protection and Security Department at Pan International, Mr Adam Mkaka, stressed the need for community-based child protection, which has weakened over time.

 “Child protection used to be a collective responsibility, but society has distanced itself,” he said, calling for public awareness to address false beliefs and misconceptions.

Programme officer at the Child Dignity Foundation, Anold Masawe, highlighted the pressures faced by single-parent households, while Lilian Kimath, Coordinator of the Tanzania Network to End Child Marriages, called for stricter laws and stronger community policing to prevent child abandonment.

The report from the police also noted efforts to combat superstitions and promote mental health awareness, along with public education campaigns aimed at reducing the stigmatization of women who give birth out of wedlock.