THE Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance (CHRAGG) has expressed concerns over the increasing number of street children in the country, calling on parents to protect and guide their children for better future.

Amina Talib Ali, CHRAGG commissioner, voiced the apprehension here yesterday after six days visit to Kagera Region, noting that throughout areas her team visited, they noted increasing number of street children.

Ali and other commissioner visited the region in order to get views of different stakeholders ahead of preparation for the national work plan on human rights and business, especially on children’s rights.

“These children have rights just like others and it is therefore the responsibility of parents to ensure they get the rights as indicated in Law of the Child Act 2009,” she said.

She also thanked UNICEF Tanzania for being in the forefront in supporting the government in protecting children.

CRAGG tour in Kagera Region started on 23 to 27th September and the commissioners held meetings with representatives of fishers at Nyamukazi fishing point in Bukoba municipality and Igabilo in Bukoba district council, management of Kagera Sugar Company, civil society organizations, famers and other stakeholders.

Jovith Paschal, a patron at Tumaini Children Centre, said  the institution  receive children from different backgrounds, including those neglected  by their parents and those who ran away from their homes due to various reasons such as poverty, violence ,early marriage and family  conflicts  as well as negligence by parents.

He explained that due to the problem in the society, the centre always provides child care education to leaders who have the responsibility to protect children at grassroots level. 

“The leaders have also been handy in identifying and reporting children living on the streets,” he said.

The magnitude of street children is found in all urban centres of Tanzania and the situation is reportedly worse due to fast-growing population.