Assessing the Targeting Performance of Interventions Supporting Most Vulnerable Children in Dodoma Municipal, Tanzania

Abstract

Most Vulnerable Children (MVC) identification has been considered as an important step towards provision of adequate protection and essential services. MVC identification is facing challenges including identification of non-eligible children and inadequate community involvement just to mention a few. The study attempted to find out the criteria used in selecting most vulnerable children, stakeholders' participation in the process, and what are the roles played by targeting interventions to the most vulnerable group who need the intervention, and the extent to which these interventions are met as far as Dodoma municipal is concerned. The study involved only adult informants. The magnitude of the problem of MVC in the two wards shows that the problem is growing bigger than previous. It is evident that the policies and guidelines for protection of the MVC are in place in Tanzania. The study found that, visible challenge was poor dissemination of policies; it also indicates the gaps that need to be filled in receiving support that is their basic right. The awareness of National guideline was also tested and the result shows that the majority of the intervention actors are aware of the national guidelines despite of not using them. The study reported that the national guidelines has a lot of bureaucratic procedural that following them, more time is wasted, the government offices has a lot of hierarchical procedures that hinder the applicability of the guidelines. On participating in identifying the MVC it was found that different participants were involved such as non governmental organizations, primary and secondary school head teachers. In the coordination with other partners, the majority of intervention actors seemed to have high cooperation. Community members were involved in the identification process than parents and care takers.