Effectiveness of Police Gender and Children’s Desk in Creating Awareness of Gender-Based Violence among Public Primary School Pupils in Tanzania:

Abstract

This study explored the effectiveness of the Police Gender and Children’s Desk (PGCD) in creating awareness of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) among primary school pupils in Chamwino District Council, Tanzania. The study was guided by three research objectives namely: to explore the strategies the PGCD employed in creating awareness of GBV among public primary school pupils; enquire about the experiences of public primary school pupils in Chamwino District regarding the effectiveness of the PGCD in addressing GBV; and describe challenges the PGCD face in creating awareness among public primary school pupils to combat GBV in Chamwino district, Dodoma, Tanzania. The system model and the empowerment theory guided the study. Purposive sampling and convenience sampling techniques were employed to collect data. Data were collected from 38 pupils, one Acting District Education Officer, one Officer Commanding Station, one In-charge of PGCD, three police officers from PGCD, the Acting District Education Officer, three Head teachers and three Mentor- teachers. The study used interviews, focus group discussions, observations and document reviews to collect primary and secondary data that was subsequently subjected to thematic analysis. The study found that, the PGCD employed strategies such as songs and demonstrations, slogans, questions-and-answers sessions and lecture-citation methods to pass on the desired messages. The study found that the PGCD faces challenges such as lack of office, transport, inadequate training on matters related to GBV and lack of budget allocation specifically for the unit. The study concluded that PGCD were effective in creating awareness among pupils in the school involved in the study. The study recommended that, the Ministry of Home Affairs should allocate specific budget for PGCD to enable the desk to discharge their roles and responsibilities smoothly and amicably.