Pastoral communities abandon outdated traditions purporting GBV

MOSHI: Moshi-based non-governmental organization has said gender-based violence against children and women in the district has declined as communities have increased became aware of the negative effects.

The Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Community Organization (KWIECO) observed that great successes as some members from pastoral families decided to abandon outdated traditions that contributed to various types of violence.

The NGO revealed this in its 2023 report presented by the organization’s representative Ms Elizabeth Mushi during the stakeholders of the movement against violence in Siha district, which was held in Doromunywa ward, Siha district, in Kilimanjaro region as part of the 2023’s 16 Days Activism against Gender Based Violence (GBV).

“The achievement and many others are the results of human rights related education programmes which were provided to different members of the community including those from the pastoral communities” Ms Mushi said.

She pointed out that the education programmes were provided by KWIECO officials in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).

“A total of 50 traditional leaders and150 youth from the herders’ families who were given human rights education including the side effects of GBV incidents; after the educational sessions, the participants came out with the resolutions to end different types of violence in the society including that of the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)”, she added.

She further said through the programmes a total of 86 women were trained on entrepreneurship upon which they improved their economic well-beings and those of their families.

“When a woman becomes one of breadwinners, the family becomes peaceful and through this education programme women have become entrepreneurs,” she said.

Speaking during the meeting, Sanya Juu Primary Court Magistrate Ms Janeth Mvungi praised the management of KWIECO and that of FNF for coming up with the education programme which she said was very important in the fight against violence.

“In a special way, let me take this opportunity to congratulate you for providing entrepreneurship training, especially for women and young people, as it will help in addressing economic the challenge “, said Ms Mvungi, who represented the Siha District Court’s Magistrate-in-Charge Ms Jasmin Abdul.