Zanzibar boosts GBV, child protection drive
ZANZIBAR: THE Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Zanzibar has pledged to strengthen service delivery and intensify efforts to combat gender-based violence and abuse while promoting overall social welfare. Presenting the ministry’s budget estimates in the House of Representatives in Chukwani yesterday, Minister Anna Athanas Paul requested legislators to deliberate on the … The post Zanzibar boosts GBV, child protection drive first appeared on Daily News. The post Zanzibar boosts GBV, child protection drive appeared first on Daily News.
Black News 
ZANZIBAR: THE Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Zanzibar has pledged to strengthen service delivery and intensify efforts to combat gender-based violence and abuse while promoting overall social welfare.
Presenting the ministry’s budget estimates in the House of Representatives in Chukwani yesterday, Minister Anna Athanas Paul requested legislators to deliberate on the proposals and approve 26.57bn/- to finance recurrent and development activities for the 2026/2027 financial year.
She said the ministry will enhance implementation of key policies and strategies, including the Second National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (2025–2030), the second phase of the Social Protection Policy and initiatives aimed at empowering women economically, politically and socially under global equality commitments.
The ministry also plans to expand platforms connecting women to economic opportunities, finalise the review of the Gender Policy, enact a new Child Act and implement a broader community development policy.
Among other priorities, the minister highlighted efforts to strengthen early childhood care and development systems at family, community and institutional levels, as well as improve social protection for the elderly, vulnerable children and disadvantaged families.
Oversight of social pensions and elders’ councils will also be enhanced. She further noted that the government will promote the use of findings from the 2024 Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) to guide programmes and improve essential services, including psychosocial support for vulnerable groups.
The minister also outlined achievements recorded during the 2025/2026 financial year. She said the number of elderly beneficiaries under the universal social pension scheme increased from 30,127 in 2020 to 33,881 by March 2026, including 19,921 in Unguja and 13,960 in Pemba.
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A total of 31,221 social service identity cards were issued during the period. However, 1,035 beneficiaries passed away and were removed from the register. She said 144 women were economically empowered to establish small businesses, while cooperation at national, regional and international levels was further strengthened.
The minister also cited improved uptake of parenting and childcare services, alongside the development of a five-year Early Childhood Development (ECD) programme in collaboration with the President’s Delivery Bureau. By March 2026, a total of 67 elderly people were receiving care in residential homes, including 38 at Welezo, 21 at Sebleni and eight at Limbani.
The ministry also handled 657 child rights violation cases, including 406 in Unguja and 251 in Pemba. Of these, 390 involved neglects of childcare services, while 267 were related to custody disputes affecting 881 children. In addressing genderbased violence, 49 survivors, including 38 women and 11 men, were provided temporary shelter in safe houses.
Additionally, 14 children aged between 12 and 17 were enrolled in rehabilitation programmes for minors in conflict with the law.
The ministry continues to oversee a remand home caring for 30 children and has reunited seven children with their families. It also monitors 18 childcare centres, including 16 in Unguja and two in Pemba, to ensure quality services.
The post Zanzibar boosts GBV, child protection drive first appeared on Daily News.
The post Zanzibar boosts GBV, child protection drive appeared first on Daily News.
