JK’s order on remand centres
 
2006-03-08 08:00:04
By Joyce Mkinga

	President Jakaya Kikwete speaks to senior officials of the President`s Office, Public Service Management, in Dar es Salaam yesterday. On the president's right is Cabinet minister Hawa Ghasia. (Photo: Tryphone Mweji)

President Jakaya Kikwete has directed the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children to collaborate with the Ministry of Safety and National Security to improve the conditions in the remand homes.

The President made the remark yesterday when he visited the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children.

’The conditions in the remand homes should be improved, the stories I hear from there are horrible,’ he said.

He said the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children should spearhead the programme to improve the situation of the child prisoners in the remand homes.

kikwete has also directed the Ministry to ensure that the problems of children living in difficult condition including those in streets are solved.

’It seems that many children seen in the streets belong to nobody,’he said.

He said although NGOs have been trying to assist them, the problem seems too big for them, hence the government has to support in their endeavours.

’It is important for the government to have an effective social protection programme for the most vulnerable children like these ones,’ he said.

The President said leaving the children in the streets was dangerous not only to the life of the child but to the community at large.

He said that the children should be taken to schools and rehabilitation centres.

’I hate seeing these children in the streets, let’s help them,’ he said.

The President has also promised to increase the number of women in decision making so as to reach 30 per cent of SADC requirement.

He said he has appointed a good number of women because he was confident on women performance as there are some who are better than men.

’I will continue appointing women in leadership positions until Tanzania reaches 30 per cent of women in decision making,’ he said.

Earlier, the Deputy Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children, Dr Butilda Burian said her Ministry, in collaboration with other stakeholders, will implement various programmes to improve the status of women and promote gender equality.

• SOURCE: Guardian