TAPO condemns killing of young girl who refused to be married

ARUSHA: A NATIONAL Network for the Defence of Children, Women and Girls rights (TAPO) has condemned the killing of a young girl who refused to be married at Endepes Village in Ngorongoro District.

The deceased young girl, according to TAPO was under the age of 18 years. She was killed recently following her refusal to be married off to a man called Amyor Mathayo.

TAPO has revealed that the family of the deceased received dowry from Amyor Mathayo in November 2023, but the young girl refused to live with the man as married couple.

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“Our network condemns this brutal killing of the innocent girl. This act is not acceptable, it’s against human right,” said Neema Laizer a member of TAPO.

She said following the incident, TAPO requested the government to investigate the incident and arrest the culprit to face legal action.

Another activist, Managing Director of MIMUTE women organisation (MWO) Rose Njiro said there are many cases of underage marriages in most of indigenous communities in the country, saying the government must act now to stop the barbaric acts of gender based violence.

“Our objective is to make dreams of our young ladies and children to come true. We want the government to review the marriage Act of 1971 because this is a source of all these challenges. This law is not friendly for young girls,” she said.

Sections 10(2), 13(1) and 15 of Tanzania’s Law of Marriage Act of 1971 allow men to contract polygamous marriages, and permit the marriage of 15-year-old girls, while the minimum age of marriage for boys is 18.

When contacted, the Ngorongoro District Commissioner, Colonel Wilson Sakullo confirmed the incident, saying the issue is under police investigation.

“Yes, we are aware of the incident. I think we need to create more awareness through education among this community. I can’t provide more details in this matter because this incident is under investigation,” he said.