Peer-reviewed article
Community Awareness of NPA-VAWC in Ending Violence Against Children
Rehema J. Magesa ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined community awareness of violence against children and Tanzania's National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC) in Mbeya City Council. While 96% of community members surveyed were aware that violence against children exists, only 35% knew about the national policy framework. Overall community awareness of the NPA-VAWC was moderate, with two-thirds of respondents showing medium-level awareness. The study concludes that limited knowledge of national strategies prevents effective community participation and calls for stronger awareness-raising efforts.
Key points
- 96% of community members were aware of violence against children as an issue
- Only 35% of respondents were aware of the NPA-VAWC policy
- 67% of respondents demonstrated medium-level awareness overall
- Limited awareness of national strategies constrains community participation
- Study recommends strengthened awareness campaigns and community-based education
Limitations
This is a descriptive study measuring awareness in one city council; it does not evaluate whether increased awareness translates into reduced violence or improved outcomes for children, nor does it examine barriers to implementation beyond awareness gaps.
Abstract
Violence against children remains a major global and national concern, undermining children’s safety, development, and well-being. In response, the Government of Tanzania implemented the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC) to strengthen prevention and response strategies. This study examined community awareness of violence against children and the level of awareness and participation in the implementation of the NPA-VAWC in Mbeya City Council. A mixed-method approach with a cross-sectional design was employed, involving 100 randomly selected community members and four key informants. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document review, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and content analysis. The findings revealed that while 96% of respondents were aware of violence against children, only 35% were aware of the NPA-VAWC. The overall awareness level was moderate, with 67% of respondents demonstrating medium awareness. The study concludes that limited awareness of national strategies constrains community participation and highlights the need for strengthened awareness campaigns and community-based education.