Violence Against Women
Source: Tanzania Daily News
THE government on Friday ruled out the possibility of castrating men found guilty of impregnating mentally handicapped and other disabled women, only to abandon them afterwards.
Minister of State in President's Office (Public Service), Ms Celina Kombani, gave the government position here yesterday while responding to a supplementary question by Special Seats MP, Ms Leticia Nyerere (Chadema) who had proposed that such men be castrated in a bid to discourage the habits.
The MP had noted with concern that a number of mentally handicapped and disabled women, most of whom are beggars or loiterers, have been impregnated and abandoned by some irresponsible men.
Ms Nyerere also suggested that the government should establish a centre to educate such irresponsible men. The minister responded that the government was not in a position to establish such centre and tasked the general public to educate irrational men against the bad behaviour.
"In the past, boys were taught by elders on good conduct during circumcision and initiation ceremonies.I think this is the best way to go," Ms Kombani noted. She, however, warned reckless men saying that the offence is punishable under the Sexual Offences (Special Provisions) Act of 1998.
"Perpetrators of such acts risk being handed a prison sentence for up to 30 years, in addition to corporal punishment. The law recognizes that mentally handicapped women are not able to consent to sexual intercourse.
No defence can be accepted by a court of law," Ms Kombani said. She was optimistic that penalties set under the Sexual Offences Act were adequate in dealing with perpetrators of sexual violence against women.
The law also provides for a sentence of life imprisonment for men proved to have assaulted a girl child who is ten years or less.