Men encouraged to report gender-based violence done to them’

POLICE Head of Children and Gender desk, DCP Maria Nzuki, has encouraged men in Mbulu district, Manyara region, to open up and use the Gender and Children’s desk to provide information when they have been subjected to acts of gender-based violence, including being beaten by their wives.

DCP Nzuki made the plea during the opening of offices for the Gender and Children Desk in the region.

The offices have been built with the support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in collaboration with the Child Dignity Organization (CDF).

DCP Nzuki said, “Many men feel shame to report these incidents thinking of being termed as weak by their fellow men in society, this is not something that someone has to be ashamed of, it is mistreatment just like any other mistreatment which occurs in the society so they should not feel ashamed to stop that behaviour.”

In addition, she said that so far, there are 420 desks offering  services in the country, including in Manyara region.

On another hand, the Mbulu district Commissioner Ms Sezaria Makota said the launching of the desk was a clear sign that acts of violence were going to decrease in the district, especially violence against children.

“It is a clear sign that the acts of violence in Mbulu are many in numbers but the launching of the gender desk in the district will help reduce and solve all cases related to sexual violence to men, women and children,” she said.

Ms Makota said some of the residents of Mbulu have been leaving their children under the care of their grandparents, calling parents to effectively participate in the upbringing of their