Stakeholders convene to combat gender-based violence

The Ministry of Community Development Gender, Women and Special Groups (MCDGWS) in collaboration with DSW Tanzania, organized capacity strengthening forums to combat gender-based violence. This is aimed at implementing the National Plan of Action to end Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC) through Multisectoral approach with a focus on prevention and response to violence.

According to the Tanzania Demographic Health Survey (TDHS, 2022), 27% of Tanzanian women aged 15–49 have ever experienced physical violence since age 15, and 12% of women aged 15–49 have ever experienced sexual violence.

The stakeholders addressed challenges at structural and community levels by developing strategies for a coordinated response toward combating Gender Based Violence (GBV). Participants included youth, women, parents, community leaders, teachers, police gender desk officers, social welfare officers, medical practitioners, journalists, judiciary officials and prosecutors. NPA-VAWC Committee Members from Village, Ward, District and Regional level were also engaged during the forum. The forums were convened in Songwe, Mbeya, Arusha and Kilimanjaro regions with an attendance of 400 participants.

Key themes deliberated on included; policy frameworks, establishment of child protection and gender desk, coordinated protection systems, responsive interventions, enforcement of laws related to GBV, awareness about online GBV prevention and continuum of care.

Action planning in Mbeya region

Presentations during multisectoral forum in Songwe region

Multisectoral stakeholder panelist at the forum in Arusha