Paper short abstract:

This paper draws on a UNICEF study concerning violence against children in Tanzania to discuss some of the socio-cultural and structural factors at play that perpetuate violence and inhibit the development of protective environments played out in the politics of children’s everyday lives.

Paper long abstract:

In 2009, UNICEF commissioned an extensive study of violence against children in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. The study revealed alarmingly high levels of physical emotional and sexual violence against children and identified socio-cultural factors as drivers of violence. It is widely accepted that childhood is culturally variable, yet this poses significant challenges to those seeking to reduce violence in children's lives, in particular when framed by universal agenda such as children's rights. This paper is based on a recently completed follow up study to understand better the dynamics of these socio-cultural drivers of violence. The paper focuses on the way in which cultural factors both prevent change whilst at the same time marginalize children's voices in their everyday lives and interactions with adults. The paper will highlight the central role that constructions of childhood, patriarchy and community play in reinforcing the social and structural violence that gives rise to children living in varying states of existential insecurity as well as inherent conservatism in socio-cultural practices that inhibits change. The paper will discuss the strengths and limitations of using a community action inquiry approach and participatory research with children to provide a basis for learning for change through participatory appraisal, dialogue and critical reflection about socio- cultural attitudes and practices concerning the way children are treated. In particular the paper will use powerful children's voices to capture some of the complexities at play as they navigate oppressive inter-generational, socio-cultural and structural contexts of their everyday lives.