The four-day International Conference on Early Childhood Care and Development for the East African region was inaugurated yesterday, March 11, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, with the Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Children, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, representing President Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan.

The Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC), through its leading journalists from 26 Press Clubs across mainland Tanzania, participated in the conference by showcasing their activities in informing the public and promoting accountability in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD) through articles published in various media outlets from January 2022 to December 2023.

Furthermore, the articles by these journalists have significantly promoted accountability in various areas including Education, Health, Responsive Caregiving, Nutrition, and Child Protection and Safety.

Under the coordination and supervision of UTPC, these champion journalists reporting on ECD, have published over 1,400 articles promoting accountability and investment in the Nurturing Care of children aged 0-8, among them 293 are radio programs aired between Sept 2021 to Dec 2023, leading to the following outcomes; Medical charges for children under the age of five have been eliminated, Health centers and preschools have been built in various areas, Creches supporting breastfeeding with their infants established in engaged in small-scale businesses & local markets (e.g. in case study of Arusha) and Fathers have begun accompanying their spouses to pre and post natal clinics visits.

In addition to these presentations, other activities at the conference included the presentation of various topics related to Early Childhood Care and Development such as policies and plans from countries including Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and Eritrea.

#earc2024 C2024