##issue.issue##

##issue.vol## 8 ##issue.no## 1 (2019)

Perspectives of Teachers and Social Workers on Sexual Exploitation of Adolescent Students in Tanzania

https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v8i1.69
Budeba Petro Mlyakado
Dar es Salaam University College of Education, University of Dar es Salaam

Corresponding Author(s) : Budeba Petro Mlyakado

mlyakado@yahoo.co.uk

Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), ##issue.vol## 8 ##issue.no## 1 (2019)

##article.abstract##

Sexual exploitation of children and adolescents is a global concern. Nevertheless, there is a
paucity of empirical studies in Tanzania that systematically examine stakeholders’ views on
this phenomenon. Using qualitative data from eight focus group discussions (FGDs), this
study explores perspectives of teachers and social workers on sexual exploitation of
adolescent students. The respondents of this study were conveniently selected from six
secondary schools and two social welfare departments in Dar es Salaam and Mwanza
regions of Tanzania. The study intended to generate insights for relevant policy and
practices towards mitigating the plights of sexual exploitation. Results indicate that
teachers and social workers perceive adolescent students as active partakers of
transactional sex due to their perceived lack of economic opportunities to meet basic
needs; lust for fashionable materials of ‘modernity’; and vulnerability. The outcomes of
these exploitative sexual partnerships to adolescent students include: poor academic
performance, school dropouts, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV/AIDS,
and/or unintended pregnancies and illegal abortion. The study suggests behavioural change
interventions for adolescents, systemic change within service provider institutions such as
the police and social welfare departments, review of parenting styles and responsibilities
among parents, and collaborative community engagement through advocacy and outreach
programmes to mitigate the plights of sexual exploitation of adolescents.

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Perspectives of Teachers and Social Workers on Sexual Exploitation of Adolescent Students in Tanzania. (2020). Journal of Humanities & Social Science (JHSS), 8(1). https://doi.org/10.56279/jhss.v8i1.69
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