By Deogratius Temba
For many years, gender-based violence (GBV) in rural Tanzania has persisted in silence, deeply embedded in harmful traditions, fear, and long-standing social norms. Practices such as female genital mutilation, child marriage, domestic violence, economic abuse, and other forms of violence against women and children were often regarded as private family matters rather than serious human rights violations and criminal offences.
However, this narrative is gradually changing in Moshi, Mwanga, and Iringa districts following sustained interventions by the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) through its Breaking Barriers – Combating Gender-Based Violence and Promoting Gender Equality for Sustainable Development initiative.
A series of capacity-building trainings held in Mabogini Ward (Moshi DC), Mgagao Ward (Mwanga DC), and Kalenga Ward (Iringa DC) brought together key actors in the GBV response chain. These included local government leaders, police officers, religious and traditional leaders, social welfare officers, paralegals, and community members working through Knowledge Centres (KCs). The sessions aimed at strengthening understanding of national laws, policies, regulations, and frameworks designed to eliminate GBV while ensuring survivors access justice and essential services in a timely and coordinated manner.
The intervention is grounded in TGNP’s transformative feminist approach, which seeks to dismantle structural inequalities that perpetuate discrimination against women and marginalized groups. Through the establishment of Knowledge Centres, communities are provided with safe spaces for dialogue, reporting violence, and engaging authorities in accountability processes.
.jpeg)
Speaking during the training in Kalenga, reproductive health, parenting, and gender expert Dr. Katanta Lazarus Simwanza noted that Tanzania already has strong legal and policy frameworks, but enforcement and public awareness remain major gaps.
“We have laws and policies in place, but many communities still live in silence and fear. We must build a society that understands that gender-based violence is not a normal or private matter, but a violation of human rights,” he said.
Participants reviewed key national instruments including the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC 2024/25-2028/29), the Law of the Child Act of 2009, and the Education Act, alongside the responsibilities of local government authorities in safeguarding vulnerable groups. Emphasis was also placed on referral systems and coordination mechanisms across the GBV service chain from village to district level to ensure survivors are not lost within the system.
In Mgagao Ward, Mwanga District, discussions highlighted contradictions within the legal framework, particularly the Marriage Act of 1971, which has long been criticized for allowing child marriage under certain conditions. Participants observed that such inconsistencies undermine efforts to protect girls and achieve gender equality nationwide.
Facilitator Marcela Lungu stressed that true gender equality cannot be achieved while legal loopholes continue to expose children to early marriage.
“The Law of the Child recognizes anyone under 18 as a child, yet other laws still allow child marriage. This contradiction is a major setback in efforts to eliminate GBV,” she said.
Before TGNP’s community engagement interventions intensified in 2024, many communities in these areas reportedly had limited understanding of GBV issues, with survivors often remaining silent due to fear, stigma, economic dependency, and entrenched cultural norms. However, through Knowledge Centres and continuous engagement, a notable shift is emerging, with increased reporting of cases and stronger community involvement in justice-seeking processes.
Police Gender Desk Officer for Kalenga Ward, Inspector Editha Kayuni, observed that collaboration between communities and law enforcement has significantly improved.
“Today, people are reporting cases earlier than before. The community is beginning to understand that GBV is not something to be hidden anymore, and this has made our work much more effective,” she said.
Iringa District Social Welfare Officer, Gladness Amulike, noted that the training has strengthened stakeholders’ capacity to handle cases more professionally and ensure survivors receive justice.
“In the past, some cases were resolved informally or abandoned midway. Now communities understand that GBV is a criminal issue and survivors must be supported to the end of the justice process,” she said.
Traditional and religious leaders also acknowledged a shift in mindset. Traditional leader from Kalenga, Sheikh Zuber Witala, admitted that long-held beliefs and customs are being re-evaluated in light of their harmful impact.
“The Knowledge Centre has awakened us. Some of the things we considered normal are actually forms of violence and criminal acts. We now have a responsibility to educate our communities and abandon harmful practices,” he said.
In Moshi District, traditional elder Isaack Laizer echoed similar sentiments, noting that awareness on practices such as female genital mutilation has improved significantly.
“These trainings have opened our eyes. We now understand our role in protecting the community against violence. We are committed to ensuring these practices are eradicated,” he said, while urging health professionals to complete PF3 medical forms accurately to support legal proceedings for survivors.
Local government authorities also expressed commitment to strengthening accountability mechanisms. Moshi District Civil Society Coordinator, Tumaini Ijiko, said the intervention has reshaped community governance priorities.
“Mabogini needed this kind of awareness. We want to see real and visible change in our communities, and we will ensure all agreed resolutions are implemented,” he said.
Kalenga Knowledge Centre Secretary, Mary Muhungulu, added that the centres have become trusted spaces for learning and reporting GBV cases.
“Women and girls now have a safe place to access information, support, and guidance. The community is beginning to trust that justice is possible,” she said.
Participants noted several early achievements resulting from TGNP’s interventions since 2024, including increased reporting of GBV cases, improved coordination among service providers, greater awareness of legal rights among survivors, and reduced silence and stigma surrounding GBV. The Knowledge Centre model has been widely recognized as a key community-driven mechanism for strengthening accountability and collective action against violence.
However, stakeholders also acknowledged persistent challenges, including corruption, delays in justice processes, harmful cultural practices, alcohol and substance abuse, and family pressure to resolve cases informally outside the legal system.
Overall, stakeholders from Moshi, Mwanga, and Iringa agreed that the fight against gender-based violence cannot be left to government institutions alone. It requires collective responsibility, strong enforcement of laws and policies, and the courage of communities to break the silence. Through Knowledge Centres, these districts are now steadily building a unified voice against GBV signaling a growing momentum toward a more just, safe, and gender-equal society
0 Comments