Human Rights of Women
In a bid to fight against gender based violence, Kivulini Women's Rights a nongovernmental organisation based in Mwanza launched its two year strategic plan (2013-15) aimed at advocating for more women at decision making positions and the doing away of practices that oppress women and deny them their rights.
Speaking at the launch the Executive Director, Ramadhan Masele said there is a need to address the challenges women face in the country. Mr Masele commended the government on its efforts in enacting laws, developing policies and ratifying international agreements which promote women's rights.
He said, "The struggle towards equality is requires much more than high-level changes, the struggle requires individuals and communities to identify behaviours and traditions that oppress women."
Maselle said that unfortunately gender inequality is ingrained within the family structure and stressed that in the Lake Zone the inequality has led to violence being inflicted on women.
According to a demographic survey conducted in 2010, the findings show that where 39 percent of women aged between 15- 49 were victims of one or more forms of violence. For example out of every 10 married women's, six are sexually harassed by their spouses.
According to National Bureau of Statistics 2010 it was indicated that 46 percent of the women interviewed agreed that a husband has a right to beat his wife if she argues with him.
Forty three percent of the women's interviewed agreed that a husband has a right to beat his wife if she went visiting without permission and 47 percent of the women agreed it was fine if they are beaten by their husbands if caught neglecting their children. Twenty nine percent of women agreed that, a husband rights to beat his wife if she refuses his sexual advances.
The survey revealed that over 39 percent of Tanzania women's of 15 years of age have experienced sexual harassment and have been beaten by their partners. On top of all the challenges women face, they work all day long. Gender equality does not imply that women and men are the same, but that they have equal value and should be recorded equal treatment.
Masele says that there is a minimal justice mechanisms and limited knowledge of human rights and laws, and the broad social acceptance of violence is the main cause of women's silence. "Violence against women, particularly sexual violence is experienced by both married and unmarried women," he said.
"The strategy will support the development of gender sensitive structures and processes that will promote gender equality and consistent unified messaging on gender," Programme Officer for Policy and Advocacy at Kivulini Khadija Liganga urges government to intervene.
"Let government work towards alleviating the suffering of women", she said. On her part, Wote Sawa Director, Angela Benedicto, said both women and men reinforce the negative stereotype and cultural stigma towards women who complained much of abuse actions.
She added that in that situation, each group faces a great deal of pressure to conform to traditional ideals of femininity and masculinity and are socialised to reinforce and uphold those expectations from an early age.
"It is high time that all forms of intimidation against women in our society ends, and I urge fellow woman to resist traditional norms that bring us down. Above all we need to revise the gender policies in our country," she said.