TANZANIA: RECOGNISING the urgent need for safe havens, the government is increasing its investment in safe houses to support survivors of violence.
Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Mwanaidi Ali Khamis, said this in the National Assembly yesterday while responding to a supplementary question from Special Seats MP Sophia Mwakagenda, about the government’s efforts to protect victims of violence.
Ms Khamis said that the government is actively working with various stakeholders to establish additional safe houses across the country.
“These facilities will offer a secure environment and necessary services to survivors, including mental health care, counselling and social support.
“The government is committed to ensuring that all survivors of violence have access to safe and supportive environments.
We are working hard to increase the number of safe houses and to provide the necessary resources to support survivors in their recovery,” she said.
Deputy Minister Mwanaidi said that the government continues to make efforts, as funds become available, to ensure that the houses are built so that victims of violence have a safe place and receive the necessary services.
Furthermore, she said that the government currently uses different areas to shelter survivors of violence, including old people’s homes for elderly victims, children’s homes for child victims and existing safe houses.
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Responding to a basic question from Special Seats MP Mary Masanja (CCM), who wanted to know how the government assists victims of sexual abuse after legal action has been taken, she said the government, through professionals and social welfare officers, provides comprehensive services to survivors of sexual violence.
She said the services provided include mental health care and psychological and social support to restore their mental health and build resilience so that they can continue with their daily lives.
In addition, the Deputy Minister said that the government provides opportunities for survivors of violence, including children who have faced various challenges, to return to school, establish vocational training colleges and provide loans to enable them to engage in various economic activities.
