Source: Tanzania Daily News 
A GROUPING of over 45,000 member organizations has come up with research findings showing that alcohol is a major contributor to gender-based violence (GBV). 

Findings from the research by the IOGTNTO Movement indicates alcohol as being a major risk factor for GBV and thus a tremendous obstacle for women empowerment and freedom, according to Executive Director of Tanzania Media Women Association Ms Valerie Msoka.

Ms Msoka said in Dar es Salaam that three facts from the research conducted by the IOGT-NTO Movement Regional Office and their partners paint the picture of what reality for women and girls in East Africa is like.

She said that one third of East African women say that they have been violated by a man who had used alcohol and a quarter of them say they have been beaten by a man who had used alcohol.

She noted that one out of six East African women have been forced to have sex against their will by men who were alcohol intoxicated.

The IOGT-NTO regional Representative Johan Sundqvist said, "It breaks my heart to say so," adding, "But it is impossible to picture gender equality and empowered women, if they keep being beaten and if they continue to be forced to sexual intercourse."

The figures from 4,600 respondents show figures are even more shocking when considering that a significant number of girls as young as 10-13 report to have been sexually abused by a man under influence of alcohol.

"Seen with the eyes of women and girls, East Africa does have an alcohol problem," noted Sundqvist, adding, "Behind the facts and figures in our study, there's real suffering and pain.

We urge decision-makers in all countries of the region to hear them and resolve to act. Alcohol-fuelled GBV can be prevented!"

A programme officer at IOGT-NTO Movement, Ms Brenda Mkwesha, said, "A significant preventive impact can be achieved by tackling the risk factor alcohol."

She noted that evidence-based, highimpact alcohol policy measures should be part of the prevention interventions, in order to promote gender-equality and end GBV in East Africa.

"Before we can realize the vision of free and empowered women and girls in East Africa, we must ban outrageous alcohol advertising that objectifies, de-humanizes and sexualizes women.

We need to implement and enforce alcohol control laws that limit the availability and affordability of alcohol and that promote health and development," ends Johan Sundqvist.