The Role of Local Government Authorities in Combating Child Labour in Tanzania: A Case Of Kigoma /Ujiji Municipality.

Isack B.V, Zacharia (2025) The Role of Local Government Authorities in Combating Child Labour in Tanzania: A Case Of Kigoma /Ujiji Municipality. Masters thesis, The Open University of Tanzania.

PDF - Submitted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (96kB)

Abstract

Child labour remains a critical challenge in Tanzania despite the presence of national legal frameworks and international conventions designed to protect children's rights. This study explores the role of Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in combating child labour within Kigoma/Ujiji Municipality—a region with significantly high rates of child labour. Guided by Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory and adopting a qualitative case study approach, the research investigates the strategies employed by LGAs, evaluates the effectiveness of their interventions, and identifies challenges faced during implementation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving 30 purposively selected participants, including LGA officials, educators, and community stakeholders. The findings reveal that LGAs deploy multiple strategies to address child labour, including community sensitization, enforcement of child protection by-laws, school re-enrolment campaigns, partnerships with NGOs and religious leaders, and economic support to vulnerable families. While these interventions have led to notable successes—such as increased school attendance and heightened public awareness—their overall effectiveness is limited by financial constraints, weak institutional capacity, cultural norms, and inadequate inter-sectoral coordination. Additionally, the over-reliance on donor-funded programs raises concerns about the sustainability of current efforts. The study concludes that addressing child labour in Kigoma requires integrated, community-driven, and well-resourced interventions that not only enforce legal provisions but also address the socio-economic realities driving the practice. It recommends strengthening LGA capacity, ensuring consistent community engagement, enhancing cross-sector collaboration, and institutionalizing long-term support systems to create sustainable change. The insights generated contribute to local and national efforts to fulfill commitments under Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 and Tanzania’s child protection policies. Keywords: Child Labour, Local Government Authorities, Kigoma/Ujiji, Social Protection, Policy Implementation, Tanzania

Actions (login required)

View Item