ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR President Dr Hussein Mwinyi has pledged stronger investment in child welfare, including plans to establish a digital system to monitor child development across the Isles.
He said the government will continue strengthening parenting, child protection and early childhood development, stressing that investing in children is key to building a healthy and prosperous society.
Dr Mwinyi made the remarks at State House in Zanzibar during a recent meeting with a delegation from Big Win Philanthropy, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr Kesete Admasu Adams, who presented findings of a baseline study on the status of parenting, nurturing care and child development in Zanzibar.
The President welcomed the organisation’s proposal to establish a digital data system for tracking child development, saying the platform will strengthen coordination and monitoring of services related to parenting, child protection and development from birth through adolescence.
He also underscored the need for stronger collaboration among ministries, institutions and development partners, describing child development as a cross-cutting issue that requires a collective approach.
“The government will continue to prioritise child welfare in its development agenda to ensure better protection, growth and wellbeing of children,” Dr Mwinyi said.
The baseline study, conducted across all five regions of Zanzibar, covered 70 shehias and involved 1,053 participants, including children and parents.
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It recommended effective implementation of the national strategy on parenting, nurturing care and child development over the next five years.
Dr Mwinyi commended Big Win Philanthropy for supporting initiatives that promote child development and assured the organisation of the government’s continued cooperation in implementing programmes aimed at improving children’s lives.
For his part, Dr Adams lauded Zanzibar’s progress, saying the islands are among the leading regions in Eastern and Southern Africa in implementing child development programmes.
He reaffirmed Big Win Philanthropy’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar to advance initiatives that promote children’s wellbeing.
The meeting reflected Zanzibar’s growing emphasis on evidence-based planning and strategic partnerships to improve child welfare and ensure every child has the opportunity to grow, thrive and realise their full potential.