Social-cultural factors perpetuating child abuse in pastoralist community in Monduli District, Tanzania

Abstract

Child abuse remains a challenge in Tanzania, with pastoralist communities like those in Monduli District reporting alarmingly high rates. This problem is often perpetuated by deeply embedded socio-cultural norms that override formal child protection laws. This study assessed the specific social and cultural factors driving this abuse. This paper is guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory. The target population of the study was 3234 heads of households. A sample size of 356 heads of households was calculate.  A total of 5 respondents were interviewed as key informants and 356 respondents filled the questionnaire. Data was analysed by using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings establish that abuse is deeply entrenched in social structures and systemic institutional weaknesses, rather than a knowledge deficit This is compounded by a perceived limited support from formal protection institutions mean of 3.19. child abuse revealed maximum vulnerability in trusted settings the home 30.5% and school 26.9%, confirming perpetrators are predominantly individuals in authority (family, teachers). The community overwhelmingly prioritized structural reforms for intervention, with 48.2% recommending strengthening local reporting mechanisms, while General Awareness Campaigns were deemed the lowest priority 3.6%. The study concludes that perception of community on child abuse is driven by the validation of traditional disciplinary norms within extended families and the  absence of accessible, trusted formal protection systems. The study recommends that the Interventions away from broad awareness campaigns to strategically prioritize resources toward strengthening functional, local reporting, and enforcement systems, integrated with targeted economic support programs to mitigate poverty-related neglect.