In Tanzania, research shows that sexual abuse of primary and secondary schoolgirls is on the increase. This has prompted activists to embark on awareness campaigns to enlighten commercial bus drivers, identified as the largest group of unscrupulous men who like to meddle with the students, and have been known to impregnate some of them.
Last Tuesday, one of the activist groups, an NGO known as WAJIKI, based in Dar-es-Salaam, organized a seminar for commercial and commuter bus operators. WAJIKI is well known for its concern against the sexual abuse of school children and other minors.
According to the Executive Director of the organization, Ms Janeth Mawiza her NGO recently conducted surveys in schools located in Mwananyamala, Makumbusho and Kawe wards, where many students admitted that they were experiencing sexual violence and abuse, mostly at the hands of bus drivers.
Ms. Mawiza said research results showed that the bus drivers used to entice the girls by offering them free transport, plus a small amount of cash in order to divert the minors from their routes and take them home. “They end up in sexual affairs which lead to an increase of early pregnancies and school drop-outs. Again, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS are obvious involved in such un-protected affairs,” she said.
Speaking in similar vein, the Director for Gender in the Ministry of Health, Ms Magreth Mussai said that the fight against sexual abuse against schoolgirls should be supported by everybody eager to check the moral decay in the society. She urged parents to find time to talk to their female children on the implications of early sexual affairs. Ms. Mussai regretted that many parents give priority to the pursuit of materialism wile completely abandoning their core-parenting tasks.
She hailed the ‘No public school re-entry’ order by President John Magufuli, explaining that the order awakened parents’ response towards the fight against sexual abuse. The gender issues expert also blamed the situation on the fact that many parents are not buoyant enough to enroll their female children in private schools.
