KUWAZA consortium members launching the end-line evaluation report.
As a child rights organisation, we are constantly seeking ways to enhance our impact in safeguarding children from all forms of abuse, enabling them to reach their full potential. Ten years ago, with this commitment in mind, C-Sema partnered with the International Centre for Women’s Research (ICRW), Pathfinder International, and ActionAid to implement the KUWAZA project, aimed at preventing violence against children in Zanzibar.
For those unfamiliar with the project, KUWAZA is a crucial multi-faceted intervention designed to protect Zanzibar’s children from abuse. In its third phase (KUWAZA III, 2021-2024), the project focused specifically on addressing Sexual Violence Against Children (SVAC), making strides in this critical area within the Zanzibar community.
The focus on SVAC was informed by several findings, including a lack of targeted interventions and a noted increase in sexual violence, as revealed by the KUWAZA Phase Two end-line report. The National VAC Survey of 2011 further highlighted the urgency of the issue, showing that only one in ten children who experienced sexual violence received appropriate services, and less than half of those affected disclosed their experiences.
Sexual violence against children is alarmingly common in Zanzibar, with the survey documenting that out of 161 children who reported experiencing violence in the previous year, 61% of girls and 39% of boys had faced sexual violence, often perpetrated by relatives.
KUWAZA III addressed this crisis through a strategic household and community intervention aimed at preventing SVAC and fostering behavioral changes among families and communities to better protect children and adolescents.
In mid-August, the KUWAZA consortium hosted a national event to disseminate the findings from the project’s implementation and officially launch the KUWAZA III end-line evaluation report. A report that provides a comprehensive review of the project's achievements and lessons learned, showcasing the progress made in combating sexual violence in Zanzibar.
Dr. Joseph Komwihangiro, Pathfinder’s Country Director, opened the event by highlighting the severe impacts of SVAC and the systemic barriers to justice within the community. “One major challenge we’ve identified is the role of Muhali in preventing children from seeking justice. It’s imperative that as a community, we work together to overcome these barriers,” Dr. Komwihangiro emphasised.
Hon. Khatib M. Khatib, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development in his key note address.
Hon. Khatib M. Khatib, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Community Development, and the event’s guest of honor, praised the project's impact. “KUWAZA has been instrumental in driving change for our children. As we transition to KUWAZA IV, we must build on this foundation and maintain the momentum within our communities,” Hon. Khatib said.
Understanding the need for every participant to gain a keen understanding of the project, Dr. Lepold Tibyehabwa, Pathfinder’s Senior Portfolio Technical Adviser, provided an overview of KUWAZA III’s goals, strategies, and accomplishments. His analysis highlighted the project’s effectiveness in addressing SVAC and the challenges encountered. Dr. Tibyehabwa noted that one significant lesson learned was the limited understanding of SVAC among beneficiaries, and he shared the success of improving this awareness.
“I remember a training session where a parent expressed that, apart from learning about SVAC prevention, they also became aware of various forms of child abuse that were previously normalized and not recognized as abuse,” Dr. Tibyehabwa recalled. He also shared feedback from the Zanzibar Institute of Education, which appreciated the timely intervention and suggested making the project more sustainable.
The most awaited part of the event was the launch and presentation of the KUWAZA III end-line evaluation report by Ms. Kirabo Suubi, a gender economist from ICRW, the consortium’s Monitoring and Evaluation partner. The report, based on a decade of learning and adaptation, revealed increased confidence among children to disclose abuse, with boys’ confidence rising from 79.4% to 96.7% and girls’ from 76.0% to 94.2%.
Ms. Kirabo Suubi Gender Economist ICRW presenting findings from the report.
Ms. Suubi also shared other impressive achievements, such as increased awareness of SVAC and harmful practices among children in the intervention group, with knowledge levels significantly higher than those in the control group. Awareness of sexual abuse as a harmful practice increased from 33.6% to 63.4% for boys and from 38.2% to 68.4% for girls. There was also a noticeable increase in the willingness to report abuse to authorities outside the immediate family.
A community member during an outreach program highlighted the need for confidential reporting mechanisms and technical assistance for child protection workers. “Some reporting mechanisms lack confidentiality, which discourages community members from reporting abuse due to security concerns. Promoting the child helpline and supporting child protection professionals is vital,” the community member said.
Previously, if a child reported sexual abuse to their parents, they were often discouraged from speaking out and were stigmatized. “Now, parents are more attentive and willing to discuss these matters with their children,” noted a Social Welfare Officer from North Unguja.
(Full endline report can be found here)
The event also featured a panel discussion with consortium representatives, including Mr. Bakar Khamis of ActionAid, Mr. Ediphonce Joseph of Pathfinder International, and Mr. Michael Marwa, Head of Programs and Director of the National Child Helpline.
The panel addressed key issues such as supporting caregivers, enhancing male involvement, and the community’s role in combating SVAC. “Engaging religious leaders and community elders is crucial in spreading awareness and preventing abuse,” Mr. Khamis observed.
In addition to engaging religious leaders in addressing SVAC it is also important for parents and caregivers to build relationships and foster trust with their children, for this is an essential part of parenting. “Our experience shows that children are often hesitant to discuss abuse with adults. Building strong, trusting relationships is essential for ensuring that children feel safe to report these issues,” said Mr. Marwa.
Mr. Michael Marwa, Director of the National Child Helpline and Head of Programs C-Sema during the panel discussion.
What was perhaps the highlight of the entire day were the performances by Kitope Primary School students, who delivered a play and song on the negative impacts of sexual violence on children. Their performance received a standing ovation and reminded everyone in that room of the ongoing need for effective community interventions.
Students from Kitope Primary school performing a song titled ''UDHALILISHAJI''.
In closing, Ms. Tauhida Mohamed, a Child Protection Specialist from UNICEF, reflected on KUWAZA III’s achievements and the anticipation for KUWAZA IV. “The progress made over the past decade is significant, but our work is far from over,” Ms. Mohamed said. “KUWAZA IV will continue to address critical issues and build on the successes we’ve achieved.”
As KUWAZA moves into its next phase, the focus will remain on expanding efforts to protect and empower Zanzibar’s children, ensuring that advancements are sustained and new challenges are met with renewed dedication and enthusiasm.
Let us remember, we all have a role to play in keeping children safe.
Prepared by C-Sema's Communications team.
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