RESIDENTS of Kipunguni Street in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam Region have raised concerns over rising cases of child abuse, calling for government intervention to address them including strengthening laws and policies.

In recent months, Kipunguni Street has seen an increase in reports of children being subjected to physical abuse and forced into exploitative labor.

Yohana Chacha, Kipunguni Street chairman, unveiled this during a recent community meeting.

He expressed concern over the situation, saying: "Our community has always boasted of being a safe place for children, it is heartbreaking to see the young lives being exploited and abused. We must take immediate and decisive action to protect them." 

According to residents in the area, children are often subjected to working long hours in hazardous conditions, with little regard for their safety or well-being.

One of the residents, Juma Khatib, outlined several key measures that the residents are implementing to combat the crisis, including increasing surveillance, organizing community patrols, and collaborating with local law enforcers and child protection agencies.

 He emphasized the importance of community involvement in identifying and reporting cases of abuse.

 Another resident, a local teacher at Kipunguni School Aisha Mohamed, said there have been several initiatives to address the issue, including their active involvement in awareness campaigns.

"We cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of these children," she said. "As a community, we need to educate ourselves and others about the signs of abuse and how to report it."

Ali Konya, a resident, stated that: "We need government intervention and more resources dedicated to protecting our children,” he said.

“This disheartening to see our children being humiliated, authorities need to do more to prevent this abuse,” said Suleiman Amani, a local shop owner.

However, despite the community's, efforts residents see the war against child abuse face challenges as residents fear retaliation from perpetrators.

 Additionally, limited resources and support from external agencies have made it difficult to fully address the issue.

However, there is a growing sense of hope among the residents. The involvement of the chairperson and active participation from community members signify a united front against child exploitation and abuse.

As Kipunguni Street continues to battle this crisis, the collaboration between residents, local leaders, and authorities remains crucial.

Stakeholders believe the ongoing efforts to protect and support the children of Kipunguni Street serve as a testament to the community's resilience and dedication to safeguarding its future.