AfricaPress-Tanzania: THE government has established an integrated management system for women who have been subjected to gender-based violence (GBV), as part of an initiative to holistically respond to GBV cases.
Besides women, the system is also expected to respond to cases of violence against children.
A senior official from the Department of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Mr Darius Damas, revealed this during a two-day multi-sector dialogue on ending GBV in the workplace organised by Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF).
He was speaking on behalf of the Commissioner of the Social Welfare Department and noted that the government was committed to ensuring GBV survivors/victims were provided with basic services for their well-being and dignity.
Mr Damas noted that the country lacked such a crucial system for a long time, but it was now working.
“Great strides have been made due to collaboration that involves various stakeholders,” said Mr Damas.
Besides, the ministry has developed guidelines for the establishment and management of safe homes for victims and survivors of human trafficking and other forms of GBV.
He pointed out that the move would support the establishment of shelters and safe homes particularly for elders.
Among the achievements recorded by the government towards ending GBV was the establishment of 420 gender and children desks in 26 regions in the country.
Likewise, The Tanzania Prisons Service has joined forces by starting up to 161 gender desks at the prisons.
He added that GBV survivors in health facilities setting one-stop centres had been established for the provision of specialised services to help victims. So far, 14 centres have been started.
The goal is to provide similar services at regional and district hospitals countrywide.
He, however, noted that major achievements had been recorded in juvenile cases dealt in line with the law of the child and juvenile court rules to ensure the rights and well-being of children were protected.
The official added that the move was also meant to ensure children who were diverted from the full justice system were treated in communities and rehabilitation centres.
“We have developed divergent skills, whereby children who are in conflict with the law are taken to rehabilitation centres,” he said.
Other aspects include looking for fit homes, foster families and adopting families to enjoy the care and support regardless of other challenges.
