The Forum for African Women Educationalists national chapter in Tanzania—FAWE Tanzania—convened a Joint National Advocacy Meeting on Addressing Corporal Punishment in Schools at Sanaan Hotel, bringing together key stakeholders to strengthen collective efforts toward safeguarding children’s rights within the education system.
The meeting aimed to present and validate key findings and recommendations from a recently developed policy brief on corporal punishment in schools. It provided a strategic platform for stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue, share perspectives, and explore pathways for policy review and reform.
Discussions emphasized the urgent need to align education policies with child protection principles, ensuring that learning environments are safe, inclusive, and conducive to the well-being and development of all learners.
The national-level engagement brought together representatives from key government institutions, including the Ministry of Education Science and Technology Tanzania and the Ministry of Community Development Gender Women and Special Groups Tanzania.
The meeting also convened leading civil society organizations and academic institutions committed to advancing children’s rights and quality education, including HakiElimu, Community Transforming Alliance, Legal and Human Rights Centre, and the Dar es Salaam University College of Education.
This multi-stakeholder participation underscored the importance of collaboration in addressing complex and deeply rooted issues such as corporal punishment.
Participants explored collaborative approaches to strengthen policy frameworks and implementation mechanisms aimed at eliminating corporal punishment in schools. The dialogue highlighted the need for:
- Strengthened legal and policy protections for children
- Increased awareness and capacity-building for educators on positive discipline approaches
- Enhanced monitoring and accountability systems within schools
- Greater community engagement to shift attitudes and practices
The meeting reinforced that protecting children’s rights requires a holistic approach that integrates policy reform, education sector transformation, and community-level change.
Through this initiative, FAWE Tanzania continues to champion gender-responsive and child-friendly education systems that uphold dignity, safety, and respect for all learners.
By facilitating dialogue, strengthening partnerships, and advocating for policy change, FAWE remains at the forefront of efforts to ensure that schools are spaces where children can learn and thrive free from violence.
As Tanzania advances its education agenda, the outcomes of this advocacy meeting represent a significant step toward building safer and more inclusive learning environments.
FAWE reaffirms its commitment to working with government, civil society, and partners to translate policy into action—ensuring that every child is protected, empowered, and given the opportunity to succeed.