Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been challenged to step up efforts to empower women and young people economically and educationally, while strengthening community action against gender-based violence and child abuse.
The call was made by veteran journalist Idda Mushi, who said communities must stop concealing abuse cases out of fear, shame or a desire to protect family relationships, warning that silence often exposes victims to further harm.
Speaking as the guest of honour at celebrations marking the anniversary of Women in Education (SWE) in Morogoro, Ms Mushi said combating violence required collective responsibility, extending beyond law enforcement agencies to families and communities.
“Fighting violence is everyone's responsibility. It involves neighbours, parents, local and village leaders, ward leaders and religious leaders,” she said.
The event was organised in collaboration with the Morogoro Regional Police Force and the Eastern Zone office of the President's Office Ethics Secretariat.
Ms Mushi, who has more than 25 years of experience in journalism, said gender-based violence, child abuse and abuse against people with disabilities should never be treated as matters to be settled privately or concealed to protect family reputations.
She urged people experiencing or witnessing abuse to report incidents through the Police Gender and Children's Desk and other relevant authorities to enable investigations and legal action.
She also called on communities to ensure victims receive support rather than being abandoned, blamed or discouraged from seeking help.
The scale of reported cases was highlighted by Police representative Sergeant Aziza Itonye, from the Gender and Child Protection Desk in Morogoro Municipality, who said the desk receives more than 20 abuse-related reports daily.
She identified rape and physical assault among the incidents reported, underscoring the need for sustained public awareness campaigns and stronger cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies.
Ms Itonye urged residents to report suspected cases promptly rather than attempting to resolve serious abuse incidents outside established legal channels.
Ms Mushi said the fight against violence should go hand in hand with responsible parenting, arguing that children's education must extend beyond academic achievement to include moral values, respect and accountability.
She expressed concern over abusive language and threats displayed by some young people on social media, saying such behaviour should prompt parents, guardians and society to examine how children are being raised.
However, she cautioned against judging an entire generation based on the conduct of a few individuals, saying young people needed guidance and positive role models rather than blanket condemnation.
She emphasised that raising children was a shared responsibility between fathers and mothers, with teachers, religious leaders and communities also expected to play their part.
Her remarks come amid wider concerns about the protection of children and the role of families and communities in shaping responsible behaviour among young people.
Beyond social protection and parenting, Ms Mushi challenged NGOs to move beyond ambitious statements and demonstrate measurable results through programmes that directly improve people's lives.
She said organisations such as SWE had an important role in supporting Tanzania's Development Vision 2050 by equipping women, girls and young people with education, entrepreneurial skills, digital knowledge and opportunities for innovation.
She said such interventions could help more people become economically independent, participate in productive activities and use their skills to address challenges within their communities.
However, she stressed that organisations should establish clear performance indicators to measure their contribution.
These could include the number of women and young people trained, beneficiaries who establish income-generating activities and those whose economic circumstances improve through the programmes.
“Having good objectives on paper is not enough. What matters is translating them into action and measuring the results,” was the message of her address.
SWE founder George Lukoa said the organisation had been working to improve the economic position of women and girls while expanding their access to education and skills development.
He said its programmes cover entrepreneurship, innovation, digital skills, child protection, leadership and good governance, adding that more than 5,000 women had benefited from its interventions.
Mr Lukoa said SWE began operating in 2013 with the mission of promoting education, women's empowerment and community development.
Ms Mushi also chairs the board of Kulea Childcare International's Tanzania branch, a non-governmental organisation involved in supporting children in need.
The anniversary celebrations, held in partnership with the Morogoro Regional Police Force and the Eastern Zone office of the President's Office Ethics Secretariat, focused on the contribution of education, economic empowerment and community participation to improving the lives of women, children and young people.