Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening measures aimed at eliminating gender-based violence while continuing to implement international agreements that promote gender equality and development.
The Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dorothy Gwajima, said the country remains committed to implementing global commitments on gender equality that Tanzania has ratified.
She noted that Tanzania is among countries that have signed and adopted several international agreements that guide efforts to promote gender equality and protect women’s rights.
These include the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
Dr Gwajima said the government is implementing several strategies aimed at eliminating all forms of gender-based violence in communities across the country.
Among the key initiatives is the implementation of the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (NPA-VAWC) for the period 2024/25 to 2028/29, which targets reducing incidents of violence by 50 percent.
Through the plan, the government has expanded gender and children’s desks at police stations to improve support for victims of violence.
Currently, more than 420 desks have been established across the country to help handle cases involving women and children.
In addition, the government has introduced integrated service centres, commonly known as One Stop Centres, in selected health facilities to provide medical treatment, legal assistance and counselling services to survivors of violence.
Dr Gwajima said the government has also continued strengthening laws that protect women and children, including the enforcement of the Law of the Child Act.
Campaigns are also being conducted to address harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage.
She added that the enactment of the Legal Aid Act has expanded legal aid services for vulnerable groups, particularly poor rural women, widows and people with disabilities.
Further reforms have also been made to the Criminal Procedure Act to strengthen the handling of crimes related to violence against women and children.
These include stricter legal provisions such as denying bail for certain serious offences and increasing penalties imposed by courts.
Dr Gwajima said the government is also encouraging the involvement of men and boys in efforts to change harmful beliefs and practices that contribute to gender inequality.
Such efforts are promoted through community awareness campaigns, including participation in the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
She said the government will continue working with various stakeholders, including civil society organisations and the private sector, to strengthen national efforts aimed at promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women and children.
