Dar es Salaam, June 13 -- THE upbringing of children within families is an issue that requires urgent attention from parents, guardians, families, communities and the nation as a whole, because children represent the future of any country.

Children must be given adequate preparation in their growth and development to ensure their overall well-being. In the past, raising children was a shared responsibility between parents and the wider community, which helped protect children from abuse, immoral behaviour and other threats to their development.

However, the collapse of this community-based upbringing system has left many children vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, pushing them into risky environments.

Recognising the importance of s...