For over a decade, PDF has been at the forefront of protecting children from violence, exploitation, and harmful practices. Our work is grounded in the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and Tanzania’s national frameworks, ensuring survival, participation, and the best interests of every child.

We establish and strengthen Community-Based Child Protection Committees (CBCPCs), junior councils, and school clubs to create safe environments where children and youth can speak up, access services, and influence decisions that affect them.

PDF addresses critical risks such as child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), child labor, and gender-based violence through prevention, response, and system strengthening. We train duty bearers, health workers, teachers, and community leaders to identify, report, and respond effectively to cases, while ensuring referral pathways operate smoothly within national structures. Adolescents are supported through safe spaces, Champions of Change networks, and youth-friendly SRH services that empower them to make informed choices.

At the national level, PDF engages in advocacy to influence policies and mobilize stakeholders, ensuring children’s voices are included in shaping laws and practices. By combining grassroots action with policy engagement, PDF helps communities shift harmful norms, builds protective structures, and sustains long-term change for children across Tanzania.