Z’bar launches committee to combat gender violence

ZANZIBAR: ZANZIBAR has launched a ministeriallevel National Committee to strengthen coordination and accelerate efforts to eliminate violence against women and children.

The Chairperson of the National Committee to End Violence Against Women and Children, Dr Haroun Ali Suleiman, said the formation of the committee marks a significant step towards improving collaboration among institutions responsible for preventing and responding to gender-based violence and child abuse.

Dr Suleiman, who is also Zanzibar Minister of State in the President’s Office (Constitution, Legal Affairs, Public Service and Good Governance), made the remarks during the launch of the committee at the Golden Tulip Airport Hotel in Zanzibar.

He said the committee was established to strengthen institutional coordination, improve implementation of laws and policies and ensure effective protection of women and children from violence and abuse.

“The government remains committed to creating a society that protects the rights of women and children and rejects all forms of violence and abuse,” he said. Dr Suleiman urged committee members to discharge their responsibilities diligently by developing effective strategies and ensuring the proper implementation of existing laws, policies and programmes aimed at protecting vulnerable groups.

“We expect this committee to strengthen coordination among institutions and ensure that existing laws and policies are effectively implemented to safeguard the rights of women and children,” he said.

He added that the committee would play a key role in strengthening collaboration among government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders involved in addressing violence against women and children.

Speaking at the event, the committee’s co-chairperson and Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Ms Anna Athanas Paul, said the government would continue working closely with development partners to strengthen community protection systems and expand public awareness campaigns. She said efforts would continue to educate communities on the rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups in order to build a society that actively rejects violence and abuse.

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“We will continue working with communities and our development partners to ensure that protection systems are strengthened and that citizens are better informed about their rights and responsibilities,” she said.

UNFPA Gender Programme Officer, Mr Ali Haji Hamadi, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting government initiatives aimed at promoting the rights, health and well-being of women, children and young people.

During the launch, officials presented the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (2025-2030), which outlines strategies for strengthening prevention, protection, case management and institutional coordination.

The newly established committee comprises representatives from government ministries, institutions, the private sector and development partners. Its responsibilities include providing policy guidance, supporting implementation of national strategies, advocating for adequate resource allocation and strengthening coordination in the prevention and response to violence-related cases.

The launch was attended by ministers, regional and district leaders, representatives of the Police Force, the Office of the Mufti of Zanzibar, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, as well as development partners including UNICEF, UNFPA and