Dialogue calls for women’s role in ending GBV
DODOMA: WOMEN have been urged to uphold Tanzanian cultural values and traditions in family upbringing as part of efforts to curb the rising cases of economic and gender-based violence in communities.
The call was made over the weekend in Dodoma by Assistant Superintendent of Police and Head of the Gender and Children Desk, Christer Kayombo, during a dialogue organised by the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) through the ‘Sauti Zetu’ project.
Ms Kayombo said women play a key role in shaping values within families and communities and should therefore serve as role models by promoting responsible parenting practices in line with Tanzanian traditions.
She noted that economic violence has become increasingly common in some households, with some men neglecting their responsibilities to support their families.
Ms Kayombo also advised women to avoid unnecessary debts and financial practices that could lead to conflicts within families, stressing that sound financial management is essential for family stability.
She further warned against harmful practices such as commercial sexual exploitation and called on communities to abandon outdated traditions, including female genital mutilation.
“Some harmful practices, including female genital mutilation, are still secretly carried out in certain communities and must be eliminated,” she said.
Ms Kayombo also urged members of the public to report incidents of genderbased violence to relevant authorities instead of resolving serious offences such as rape through informal family arrangements.
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Speaking at the event, Dodoma City Community Development Officer Neema Majula encouraged women to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture and livestock keeping to strengthen their economic independence and reduce vulnerability to economic violence.
She also emphasised the importance of raising children with strong moral values and avoiding unsustainable loans that may lead to financial stress.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Chamwino Women Farmers Forum (JUWACHA), Janeth Nyamayahasi, urged women to take an active role in family upbringing to help build safe and stable communities.
On her part, the Director of the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA), Rose Reuben, said the organisation continues to advocate for the rights of women and girls through the media.
A representative from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Agnes John, called on communities to break the silence and report gender-based violence, warning that accepting small payments to conceal such cases undermines justice and efforts to eliminate abuse in society.
