Dar es Salaam, Feb. 21 -- MISUNGWI: FOLLOWING a rise in child abandonment cases by female parents in Misungwi District, community members have called on authorities to impose stern punishments on offenders to deter similar incidents.

The appeal was made this week during the ongoing Samia Legal Aid Campaign, by Old Misungwi Village Chairperson, Mr Seif Rashid, revealing that five children from three different families were abandoned last year, including two with disabilities.

He explained that some mothers request temporary custody of their children from neighbours, claiming they need to travel for emergencies, only to never return.

Following their disappearance, neighbours reported the matter to the Village Chairperson, who then contac...