challenges which have necessitated review of the 1992 policy and adoption of new 2006 population policy include the following.
Need for relevant and affordable quality education and training at all levels: The Tanzanian government faces a number of challenges in providing relevant and affordable quality education and training at all levels. These challenges include:
Lack of resources: The Tanzanian government does not have enough resources to provide quality education and training to everyone.
Inadequate infrastructure: Many schools and training centers in Tanzania do not have the necessary infrastructure, such as classrooms, teachers, and textbooks.
Lack of qualified teachers: There is a shortage of qualified teachers in Tanzania, especially in rural areas.
Cultural barriers: Some people in Tanzania believe that girls do not need to be educated, and that boys should be educated only up to a certain level.
High prevalence of STIs, HIV and AIDS: The high prevalence of STIs, HIV and AIDS in Tanzania is a major constraint to implementing the 1992 Population Policy. This is because STIs and HIV can lead to infertility, which can make it difficult for couples to plan their families. Additionally, HIV can lead to death, which can leave children without parents.
High levels of adolescent pregnancies and early child bearing: High levels of adolescent pregnancies and early child bearing are another major constraint to implementing the 1992 Population Policy. This is because adolescent mothers are more likely to experience complications during pregnancy and childbirth, and their children are more likely to be malnourished and have poor educational outcomes.
Frequent pregnancies and deliveries: Frequent pregnancies and deliveries can also be a constraint to implementing the 1992 Population Policy. This is because women who have frequent pregnancies and deliveries are more likely to experience health problems, such as anemia and postpartum depression. Additionally, their children are more likely to be malnourished and have poor educational outcomes.
Increasing unemployment due to poor economic performance parallel with rapid labor force growth: Increasing unemployment due to poor economic performance parallel with rapid labor force growth is another constraint to implementing the 1992 Population Policy. This is because when people are unemployed, they are less likely to be able to afford to have children. Additionally, unemployment can lead to stress and frustration, which can make it difficult for couples to plan their families.
Increased forms and levels of gender-based violence, traditional harmful practices including FGM, sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment of children: Increased forms and levels of gender-based violence, traditional harmful practices including FGM, sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment of children are also constraints to implementing the 1992 Population Policy. This is because these practices can lead to unwanted pregnancies and early child bearing, and they can also make it difficult for women to control their own fertility.
- Persistently high maternal, infant and child mortality: Maternal mortality is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration or site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management, but not from accidental or incidental causes. Infant mortality is the death of a child under the age of one year. Child mortality is the death of a child under the age of five years.
High maternal, infant, and child mortality are a major constraint to the implementation of the 1992 Population Policy because they contribute to high fertility rates. When women die in childbirth, their children are more likely to die as well. This is because they are more likely to be born preterm or with low birth weight, and they are less likely to receive proper care.
High infant and child mortality also discourage couples from using family planning methods. Couples who have lost children are more likely to want to have more children in order to replace them.
The Tanzanian government has taken a number of steps to address maternal, infant, and child mortality, including:
* Expanding access to maternal health care services, such as prenatal care and delivery services.
* Providing free or low-cost essential medicines for pregnant women and children.
* Training traditional birth attendants to provide basic emergency obstetric care.
* Educating the public about the importance of family planning and child health.
However, more needs to be done to reduce maternal, infant, and child mortality in Tanzania.
- Rapid and unplanned urban growth: Rapid and unplanned urban growth is another constraint to the implementation of the 1992 Population Policy. This is because it puts a strain on the availability of resources, such as housing, water, and sanitation. It also leads to increased crime and social problems.
The Tanzanian government has taken a number of steps to address rapid and unplanned urban growth, including:
* Developing master plans for major cities.
* Investing in infrastructure, such as roads, water, and sanitation.
* Promoting the development of small towns and rural areas.
* Educating the public about the importance of family planning.
However, more needs to be done to manage rapid and unplanned urban growth in Tanzania.
- Low status accorded to women in society: Low status accorded to women in society is another constraint to the implementation of the 1992 Population Policy. This is because it limits women’s access to education, employment, and decision-making power. It also makes them more vulnerable to violence and abuse.
The Tanzanian government has taken a number of steps to address the low status of women in society, including:
* Enacting laws that promote gender equality.
* Investing in education and training for women.
* Promoting women’s participation in decision-making.
* Raising awareness about the importance of gender equality.
However, more needs to be done to improve the status of women in Tanzania.
- Inadequate programmes to address specific reproductive health needs of particular population groups: Inadequate programmes to address specific reproductive health needs of particular population groups is another constraint to the implementation of the 1992 Population Policy. This is because different population groups have different reproductive health needs. For example, adolescents have different needs than older women.
The Tanzanian government has taken a number of steps to address the needs of specific population groups, such as:
* Developing programmes to provide family planning services to adolescents.
* Providing HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment services to women.
* Investing in maternal health care services for rural women.
However, more needs to be done to address the specific reproductive health needs of all population groups in Tanzania.
- Increased incidence of drug and substance abuse: Increased incidence of drug and substance abuse is another constraint to the implementation of the 1992 Population Policy. This is because drug and substance abuse can lead to unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other health problems.
The Tanzanian government has taken a number of steps to address the problem of drug and substance abuse, such as:
* Enacting laws that prohibit drug and substance abuse.
* Providing treatment and rehabilitation services for drug and substance abusers.
* Educating the public about the dangers of drug and substance abuse.
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