Safe Families, Brighter Futures: Save the Children's Impact on Zanzibar's Parenting Practices

Kessy Makame famous as Mzee Kessy, a father of seven children, and his wife Asma Mohamed from Zanzibar, now believe in nurturing their children without resorting to physical punishment. Mzee Kessy didn't just wake up one day and become the exemplary father he is today; he was shaped by his upbringing and the societal norms that once condoned physical discipline as a means of disciplining. Raised in an environment where corporal punishment was the norm, Mzee Kessy initially followed suit in his own parenting, unaware of the harm it inflicted on his children.

"Initially, I believed that spanking children was the right way to discipline them and make them grow up well, but now I see things completely differently," says Mzee Kessy. "I have realized that this behavior, which was deeply rooted in our community, goes against children's rights and puts them at risk of psychological and physical harm."

The significant transformation occurred when Mzee Kessy had the opportunity to participate in the "Safe Family" program by Save the Children. This program provided training to parents and caregivers on effective parenting techniques, emphasizing the avoidance of physical punishment. It was through this program that Mzee Kessy began to realize the detrimental effects of corporal punishment on his children and the importance of adopting alternative approaches to discipline.

Initially met with skepticism from his community, Mzee Kessy persevered in his journey towards positive parenting. Through a series of workshops and sessions, he gradually embraced non-violent methods of discipline and became an advocate for change within his community. His children, Sabra and Ismail, testify to the profound impact of their father's transformation, expressing newfound freedom in expressing their challenges without fear of retribution.

"We initially thought maybe he had changed for a short while and would revert to his habit of spanking us, but so far, our father has become a much better father to us," says Sabra, Mzee Kessy's daughter. "I wish all parents around the world were like my father."

Save the Children's efforts to promote positive parenting have reached thousands of households in Zanzibar, with both men and women, as well as children, benefiting from the program. Angela Kauleni, the Country Director for Save the Children in Tanzania, emphasizes the importance of ending corporal punishment for several reasons. Firstly, it aligns with the organization's commitment to safeguarding children's rights and well-being. Angela herself, as a mother of two girls, practices positive parenting in her own household, prioritizing open communication and empathy.

"As a Country Director, the issue of ending corporal punishment holds significant importance to me for several reasons," says Angela Kauleni, the Country Director for Save the Children in Tanzania. "Every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment to learn and grow, free from the fear of physical harm."

Angela highlights the detrimental effects of corporal punishment on children's mental and emotional development, citing research that underscores its association with various negative outcomes such as physical harm, mental health disorders, and lower academic success. She urges policymakers to take decisive action in prohibiting corporal punishment in all settings, aligning Tanzania's laws with neighboring countries that have already taken steps towards this goal.

Through funding from SIDA, Save the Children has been providing training and engaging dialog on positive parenting methods that do not require physical punishment and promoting better ways of nurturing children in Zanzibar since the year 2022. Up to now, it has reached 1484 households, comprising 101 men, 615 women, and 768 children (407 girls and 361 boys).