Source: Tanzania Daily News
GENDER-Based Violence (GBV) acts in Kilimanjaro region are said to be fuelled by superstitious beliefs and alcoholism, obstructing efforts by activists towards having an equitable society.

 

Stakeholders meeting at Kirua South Ward in Moshi Rural District heard that many such acts go unreported as victims are afraid of consequence of volunteering information to state organs or non-governmental organisations dealing with gender equality.

Himo Police Station Head, Zuhura Suleman said she is aware of the situation, but unveiled that since January this year only 10 incidents of GBV were reported at her centre. She noted that past experience shows that rape and wife-beatings were more reported than others.

She attributed the GBV acts to men involving themselves in superstitious beliefs, excessive alcohol drinking hence behavioural change to the worst as well as sexual desire leading to things such as rape and beatings.

The Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Consultancy Organisation (Kwieco) Planning Officer (Legal Aid Unit), Ms Esther Kibanga urged the public to join hands with the organisation and other stakeholders by reporting each and every GBV act, so that law takes its course against perpetrators.

Ms Kibanga said the target is to eliminate all GBV acts so that society experiences gender equality where men and women could work together for their development and that of the country at large.

She highlighted to citizens in attendance of their basic rights and what they should do so that are not denied of such rights. The officer noted that community turning a blind eye to such GBV acts has led to the persons behind such horrible acts to feel safe, hence carry on with their habits, as are neither apprehended nor arraigned.

Ms Kibanga said her organisation was concerned with incidents such as rape, abandonment of children, wife buttering, injustice in inheritance rights, women denied to own and develop land.

She said there are many of such acts in the society but some members do not even see them as unfair, hence put in their chin and go on with life. “Many people, especially women suffer a lot from such incidents but do not report them.

The society should now wake up and do away with turning a blind eye on the GBV acts. We know perfectly well that there are many incidents that contributed to underdevelopment, but we find it difficult to deal with them unless are reported and victims are ready to volunteer information and tender evidence to police and court of law,” said Ms Kibanga.

The Kwieco officer was remorseful with a customary system that is used to resolve disputes in regard to such acts, saying it was not right, since are criminal offences that should be handled by state organs under laws of the land and not finding solutions at home.

“Such culture is an obstacle, many incidents have been dealt with under the customary system and in many cases victims do not get their rights. Public should know that these are matters that should be reported to state organs for action, starting with arrest, investigations and consequently court arraignment,” said Ms Kibanga.

A Senior Lawyer with Kwieco, Mr Hillary Tesha noted that GBV acts have caused a lot of adverse effects in the society and the nation. He mentioned some as contributing to poverty, increase in street children as well as developing violent generation.

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