THE latest Violence Against Children and Youth Survey (VACS 2024) which received technical support from UNICEF, the Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revealed significant progress in the fight against sexual, physical and emotional violence against adolescent children.

Dr Dorothy Gwajima, the Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups minister said at the launching event yesterday that the VACS 2024 was implemented through a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Community Development, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Office of the Chief Government Statistician in Zanzibar (OCGS).

Announcing the survey findings in Dar es Salaam, she said the 2024 survey marks the second national assessment of its kind after the pioneering 2009 VACS, which exposed a widespread burden of violence affecting children and youth.

The survey involved more than 11,000 adolescents and youth aged between 13 and 24 across 31 regions in both parts of the union, with its results marking a milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to protect its younger citizens.

“Compared to 2009, the 2024 results show a substantial reduction in violence, especially in cases of sexual and physical abuse,” she said.

Among girls, sexual violence declined from 33 percent in 2009 to 11 percent in 2024, while physical violence dropped from 76 percent to 24 percent during the period. Emotional violence decreased slightly from 25 percent to 22 percent, the report indicated.

Among boys, sexual violence fell from 21 percent to five percent, physical violence from 74 percent to 21 percent while emotional violence halved from 31 percent to 16 percent, the minister noted.

This drop is due to high levels of awareness among the public as well as strategies and programmes that are ongoing in the country, she asserted, affirming that the data provides essential insights to develop, strengthen and adjust strategies that address violence affecting children and youth across the country.

“We must base our child protection policies on solid evidence. The VACS 2024 survey will guide us in understanding where we are and what still needs to be done to ensure every child in Tanzania grows up in a safe and nurturing environment,” she said.

Despite these improvements violence against adolescent children remains a serious concern and calls for vigilance, collaboration and wider policy action, she stated, vowing intensified efforts to combat all forms of violence occurring in families and communities.

Anna Athanas Paul, the Zanzibar deputy minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, reaffirmed Zanzibar’s commitment to protection of adolescent children.

The Isles government intends to review or amend legislation and policy guidelines, enhancing interventions aimed at protecting adolescents from violence she stated.

The 2024 survey examined incidents occurring in homes, schools and communities, evaluating the impact of social and economic changes, including the influence of digital technology on adolescents’ safety.

The 2009 VACS played a pivotal role in shaping the national plan of action to end violence against women and children, which has since enabled extensive changes in policy guidelines, legal provisions and service delivery, the minister noted.

“With this new round, we will be able to track progress and evaluate whether the strategies we’ve employed are having real impact,” she said. “More importantly, the results will empower us to adjust and improve where necessary.”

Representatives from civil society organizations, development partners and faith-based institutions commended the government’s renewed efforts. They emphasized the importance of reliable data in guiding-focused programming across sectors such as education, health, social welfare and justice.

As the results begin to inform policy decisions, the government aims to ensure that every child is safe, empowered and given the opportunity to thrive—free from violence, exploitation and harm, she added.