VP: Report GBV to act against perpetrators

ARUSHA: VICE-PRESIDENT Dr Philip Mpango has urged Tanzanians to report incidents of gender-based violence (GBV) to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable through appropriate legal actions.

Dr Mpango made the appeal on Monday while representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 25thanniversary celebrations of the Tanzania Women Judges Association (TAWJA) held at the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC).

He noted that while women, children and men experience violence, many victims fail to report cases due to oppressive customs and traditions that discourage them from speaking out.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to promoting gender equality, Dr Mpango expressed concern that women, who constitute over half of Tanzania’s population, continue to face discrimination, limited property ownership rights and other forms of GBV.

He referred to findings from the 2016 National Plan to Combat Violence Against Women, which revealed that four out of 10 women have experienced physical abuse, while one in five women has suffered sexual violence, many of them under 15 years old.

The Vice President also cited the 2022 UN Women Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) report, which pointed to child marriage, family discrimination, restricted reproductive rights and unequal access to land as major forms of GBV in Tanzania.

Furthermore, a 2022 World Bank report indicated that 40 per cent of women aged 15-49 had experienced physical violence, while 17 per cent had suffered sexual abuse.

Dr Mpango reaffirmed the government’s dedication to strengthening gender equality, emphasising initiatives such as the establishment of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children to focus on genderrelated challenges.

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He also underscored Tanzania’s comprehensive strategies, including the National Development Vision 2025 and the Women and Gender Development Policy of 2000.

He highlighted progress in the judiciary, where women hold significant positions: 33 per cent of judges in the Court of Appeal, 38 per cent in the High Court, and nearly 50 per cent of magistrates in lower courts are women.

Dr Mpango called on the public to celebrate women’s achievements, citing President Samia as Tanzania’s first female president, along with other trailblazers like Bibi Titi Mohamed and women leaders in various sectors.

He encouraged female judges and magistrates, active and retired, to join or renew their membership in TAWJA to further the association’s mission of promoting gender equality and legal reform.

On his part, Chief Justice Prof Ibrahim Juma praised the government for its continued support to the judiciary, noting that the number of judges in the Court of Appeal had risen from 17 in 2021 to 40 in 2025.

He urged legal professionals to align their efforts with the National Development Vision 2050 to achieve gender-related and legal reform goals.

TAWJA Chairperson Barke Sehel celebrated the association’s accomplishments over the past 25 years, attributing its success to Tanzania’s strong gender equality frameworks and collaboration with the judiciary.

TAWJA, established in 2000, marked its silver jubilee under the theme “Celebrating Diversity and Solidarity in Gender Equality.”