The Tanzanian government has banned from schools several children’s books on sex education, accused of contravening “cultural and moral standards” in this East African country where homosexuality is criminalized.
The main selling point of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” is the fact that the main character is a funny child (a middle-schooler wimpy kid called Greg Heffley) with a different outlook on life.
The minister also included in this first list of “unacceptable” books a textbook on sex education and books mentioning LGBTQIA groups.
Book stores in Tanzania have been ordered to take the books off their shelves and display racks.
Last week, the head of state Samia Suluhu Hassan called on student leaders to be wary of “imported cultures” from abroad. “If you are Tanzanian, live according to our culture,” she told them.
In Tanzania, homosexuality is punishable by a minimum sentence of 30 years to life imprisonment.
