Source: Coast Week
Authorities in Tanzania and their development partners have signed a new commitment aimed at intensifying efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage in the country.

"The government is fully committed to ensuring FGM comes to an end for girls to enjoy their life free from lifelong psychological and health stress they endure," said Sophia Simba, Tanzania's minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, at the signing of the new commitment in Dar es Salaam.

She said the east African country will ensure that no girl will be married before reaching the age of 18, especially after the proposed constitution was approved.

Simba said the government has integrated FGM issues into the reproductive health and HIV/ AIDS programs which empowered vulnerable groups, especially young women in protecting themselves against HIV infection.

Tanzania has one of the highest child marriage prevalence rates in the world, almost two out of five Tanzanian girls will be married before reaching their 18th birthday.

Prevalence of the child marriage in Tanzania regions shows that Manyara has the highest with 71 per cent followed by Dodoma with 64 per cent Arusha 59 per cent, Singida 51 and Mara 40 per cent.

The British High Commissioner to Tanzania Diana Melrose said the UK has put girls and women at the heart of international development and treated child marriage and FGM as human rights abuses.

"Governments from across the world have signed the charter and made commitments to act and ensure that they see an end to these harmful practices," said the British envoy.

"The young women and men in Tanzania are counting on future leaders to bravely stand up for what is right. With strong leadership, eradicating the practices can be achieved in just a short few years," said Natalia Kanem, the United Nations United Nations Fund for Population country representative for Tanzania.

• Tanzania