By Alfred Zacharia
In a grassroots push to address gender inequality and gender-based violence (GBV), the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP), through its "Tuinuke Pamoja" project, has convened a high-level regional dialogue involving stakeholders from three councils in Dodoma Region, Chemba, Kondoa Town, and Kondoa District.
The community dialogue sessions were held in Kidoka (Chemba), Suruke (Kondoa Town), and Keikei (Kondoa District), and brought together traditional elders, religious leaders, women and youth groups, village and ward leaders, and information center representatives.
The objective was to identify and respond to persistent social and economic barriers that hinder gender equity and safety, especially for women and girls.
A major issue raised was the discriminatory land ownership system, which favors men even when women contribute significantly to agricultural production.
“Men still hold most of the land titles. Women, despite their roles in production, are routinely denied ownership,” said one participant from Keikei.
Other challenges include early marriage, school dropouts, and lack of reproductive health education.
Cultural practices and poverty continue to encourage child marriage in ethnic groups such as the Gogo and Burungi, where dowry payments of up to eight cows are still customary.
The practices often result in early pregnancies and truncated education for girls.
At Kidoka Primary School, where 1,500 pupils are enrolled, only seven latrines are available for boys and 14 for girls, far below Tanzania’s policy standards of one toilet per 25 boys and one per 20 girls.
The lack of basic facilities like sanitary pads, nutritious food, and clean water has contributed to school absenteeism and stunting among children.
Sexual exploitation, particularly in leadership settings and social venues, was also identified as a widespread issue.
Many GBV cases go unreported due to the absence of nearby police stations, low legal literacy, and the cultural tendency to resolve incidents at home through compensation, often with livestock or cash.
“Many GBV cases are settled at the family level. A cow or money is offered as compensation, denying justice to survivors,” said a representative from a local knowledge center.
The dialogue also underscored the enduring influence of patriarchal norms, including unequal inheritance practices, widow cleansing rituals, and the belief that poverty is divinely ordained.
To address these issues, participants proposed community-wide education programs targeting both genders.
They recommended ongoing men’s and women’s dialogues in rural villages, stronger oversight of nighttime traditional dances that often expose children to abuse, and the establishment of local police posts to facilitate law enforcement and protection of rights.
Elizabeth Shoo, the Development Officer and Coordinator of the "Tuinuke Pamoja" project in Kondoa District Council, emphasized the role of experts at the grassroots level.
“This project has the potential to transform communities, especially if we strengthen collaboration between technical officers, village leaders, and social groups. We must utilize local expertise in reproductive health and early pregnancy prevention,” she said.
Sexual bribery, especially in leadership appointments and access to public services, was condemned by officials.
“Sexual corruption is a form of gender-based violence. We must be aware and refuse to be degraded in any way. Justice should not be traded for sex,” said Asha Omary, a Gender and Child Protection Officer from the Kondoa Police Gender Desk.
Rose Kitundu, Head of the Community Development Department in Chemba District Council, stressed that the fight against GBV requires joint efforts. “Success will only come if everyone takes responsibility—government and community alike,” she noted.
Participants also called for legal reforms and awareness campaigns to demystify harmful traditional beliefs and ensure justice for survivors.
They advocated the inclusion of gender-sensitive initiatives in local government budgets and urged religious leaders to play a more active role in verifying the age of brides and preventing underage marriages.
The "Tuinuke Pamoja" (Rise Together) project, led by TGNP, continues to embed itself in communities by encouraging inclusive dialogue, confronting real-life challenges, and establishing collective strategies for sustainable social change.
The initiative demonstrates that community-driven transformation is possible when local voices are empowered.
