Community’s Involvement in Implementation of INSPIRE Strategies for Reducing Violence Against Children. A Case of Mbeya City

Abstract

Community participation in preventing and responding to violence against children has recently become popular. Tanzania has realized it hence formulated a comprehensive National Plan of Action to end Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC) through which children protection committees were established in different districts including Mbeya city council. This study was carried out in Mbeya city in Mbeya region, specifically at Kalobe and Iyunga wards. It examined community’s involvement in implementation of INSPIRE strategies for reducing violence against children. The study employed Probability sampling through simple random to obtain 100 respondents and non-probability sampling through purposive sampling technique to obtain the key informants. Data from primary sources were collected through survey, interview and focus group discussion methods using questionnaire and checklist tools, also data from secondary sources were collected using documentary review. Statistical Product for Service Solution (IBM-SPSS) version 20. computer software was used to facilitate data analysis. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed using content analysis. The study findings revealed that; community’s involvement in implementation of INSPIRE strategies varies from one strategy to another, they involve more in education and life skills and less in response and support services and in implementation and enforcement of laws. The study concluded that, community’s awareness and positive attitude on INSPIRE strategies influence their involvement. Therefore, the study recommended that; community’s awareness should continue being raised so as to maintain positive attitude and enhance involvement in implementation of INSPIRE strategies.