ZANZIBAR: THE number of reported cases of abuse in Zanzibar has dropped by 78 per cent in February 2025, compared to February 2024, thanks to ongoing strategies to combat the problem.
The statistician from the Division of Gender and Employment Statistics at the Office of the Chief Government Statistician (OCGS), Ms Asha Mussa Mahfoudh said during a monthly media briefing on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the islands that the ongoing strategies to curb the problem has helped to fight the problem.
Ms Asha shared the statistics, revealing that 107 cases of gender-based violence, including sexual abuse, were recorded in February 2025, down from 175 cases in February 2024.
“The majority of the victims were children, accounting for 80.6 per cent, followed by women at 17.6 per cent, while male victims accounted for 1.9 per cent,” Ms Asha explained.
While the overall number of reported cases declined, Ms Asha pointed out that incidents of abduction for sex had increased, rising from 14 cases in February 2024 to 19 cases in February 2025, which is an increase of 17.8 per cent.
She also mentioned the districts with the highest number of reported cases in February 2025.
Unguja West A District recorded the most cases, with 25 (23.4 per cent of all cases), followed by Unguja West B District, which had 24 cases (22.4 per cent).
In contrast, the South and Micheweni districts reported the fewest cases, with only three each (2.8 per cent per district).
Moreover, Unguja West A District had the highest number of reported rape cases, with 10 incidents (19.2 per cent), surpassing all other districts.
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Out of the total 52 rape cases reported in February 2025, six (11.5 per cent) involved adult women, while 46 cases (88.5 per cent) involved young girls.
Regarding legal actions, Ms Asha reported that 105 out of the 107 reported cases (98.1 per cent) are currently under police investigation, while two cases (1.9 per cent) have been closed.
The counselling officer from the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Zanzibar, Ms Salhia Kombo Mwalimu said the ministry has been conducting awareness campaigns in various communities to help prevent such incidents.
She said beyond public education, the ministry collaborates with local leaders and district officers to identify and repurpose abandoned houses, ensuring they are not used for abusive activities.
Moreover, Ms Mwalimu explained that efforts are underway to clear bushes along pathways frequently used by children, in collaboration with local leaders and landowners, to prevent these areas from being used for abuse, particularly rape.
Ms Mwalimu also addressed the psychological impact of abuse on children, noting that many victims experience trauma that affects their ability to participate in social activities and, in some cases, forces them to drop out of school.
To mitigate these effects, the ministry works closely with psychologists to provide affected children with the necessary psychological support, helping them recover and reintegrate into their daily lives.
