DEPUTY Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups Amon Mpanju has emphasized that parenting is a cross-cutting agenda requiring collective effort of government institutions, religious organizations, communities and development partners.

Mpanju made the remarks in Dodoma on Monday while officiating a pilot training session for facilitator’s manual on establishing and managing parenting groups focused on child care and protection.

The training's primary objective was to test and refine the manual by gathering feedback from participants before it is rolled out nationally. Mpanju explained that the guide is poised to become a vital tool for educating parents and caregivers on positive parenting practices, child protection, nutrition and maternal and child health.

"This manual has been developed to equip parents and caregivers with the right knowledge on positive parenting," he said. "It will also be used to build the capacity of facilitators at different community levels so that they can effectively guide parenting groups across the country."

He urged participants to utilize the manual fully and familiarize themselves with the accompanying new data collection tool. The resources, he noted, will help strengthen parenting groups, promote knowledge-sharing, and spread positive parenting education widely in communities.

Sebastian Kitiku, Director of the Department of Child Development in the ministry, highlighted that the manual embodies the national vision of ensuring every parent or caregiver has access to accurate and practical guidance on raising children. He stressed that the manual offers simple, adaptable strategies that can be applied even in rural settings, thereby eliminating disparities in access to parenting education.

Kitiku underscored the importance of the feedback gathered from the pilot training, stating it will play a key role in improving the manual before its nationwide adoption. "The contributions you make here will help us ensure the guide is not only practical but also inclusive, reflecting the realities of different communities across Tanzania," he told the attendees.

Participants expressed strong commitment to applying the new knowledge in their respective communities. One attendee noted that the manual provides clear guidance on frequently overlooked issues such as balancing discipline with empathy, addressing early childhood development and ensuring safety and wellbeing of children both at home and in the community.

The initiative is part of the government’s wider efforts to strengthen family and community systems for child care and protection, aligning with the ministry’s mission to build resilient families that can contribute positively to national development.