Tanzania vows to protect rights of widows

NAMIBIA: TANZANIA has become one of the few countries in Africa to introduce National Guidelines for Widows Coordination, launched one year after the first African Widows Summit, which was held in Zanzibar.

The Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, made the announcement while representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at Africa’s Widows Summit, held recently in Windhoek, Namibia.

Dr Gwajima said that the Tanzanian government has developed robust strategies to improve the lives of widows, including the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women.

The initiatives also include the provision of interest-free loans, free legal services and the observance of World Widows Day on June 23.

On this day, the government educates widows on their rights and connects them with useful networks to empower them. Referring to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Dr Gwajima said that there are approximately 1.3 million widows in Tanzania, representing 4.4 per cent of the total female population.

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“The National Guidelines for Widows Coordination, which we launched, address various issues, including the cultural practices that prevent widows from inheriting property, owning land, accessing education and participating in community development,” she explained.

In her opening remarks, Namibian Deputy Minister for Equality, Gender and Social Welfare, Ms Linda Mbale, noted that widowhood is often viewed as a form of social punishment.

“Communities have historically treated widows with stigma, believing that they have been punished by the deaths of their husbands. We must do more to educate our communities and establish stronger policies to protect widows,” she said.

The summit, organised by the African Widows Union, was held under the theme “Widowhood in Africa: Building a Sustainable Culture.” Key discussions focused on widows’ rights, their participation in the economy, education, healthcare, housing and the need for policies that safeguard their interests. During the event, Mama Anna Mkapa, the widow of former President Benjamin Mkapa was honoured to launch Africa’s Plan for the Growth and Development of Widows.