Africa-Press – Tanzania. ZANIBAR has joined this year’s global campaign to end violence and women and girls with President Hussein Mwinyi expressing confidence in winning the war.
The 16-day event on activism against gender-based violence is an international campaign to end violence against women and to advocate for the promotion and protection of women’s rights.
President Mwinyi said that his government has been taking various measures to make Zanzibar a better place for all people including women and children, adding that he is confident that the vice will end soon.
“I believe that we are on the track towards winning the war against GBV… I call upon everyone to join the efforts,” Dr Mwinyi said in a speech read on his behalf by the Second Vice President Hemed Suleiman Abdulla.
He mentioned some of the measures being taken as including improved legal framework that is more protective of women, girls and children.
Giving an example, Dr Mwinyi said establishment of special GBV court aimed at speeding up hearing of cases and making all sexual offences non bailable are some of the positive measures to end the problem.
According to statistics given by the President in his speech, between January and September this year, GBV cases were 928 (include 126 women and 802 children), and that the cases were dominated by rape and defilement/ sodomy.
The cases were collected from Police, DPP, and the department of gender and child protection unit.
He said between February and October this year, 345 cases were filed at the court and 78 were decided on.
He said many cases are unreported and that some of the reasons behind GBV and sexual violence are shyness/reticence to take action against perpetrators because of being close to the family, commonly known as ‘Muhali’ in Zanzibar.
President Mwinyi said the problem was also being contributed by harmful cultural/traditional practices, calling upon participants to discuss ways of avoiding them, include leaving children alone at home and in work places.
Ms Jacqueline Mahon from UNFPA made the remarks on behalf of the United Nations (UN), commending Zanzibar for the ongoing efforts in addressing gender based violence.
“We thank the government for throwing its weight behind this matter, but efforts should be stepped up from the grassroots (Shehia) to national level. We need to join forces to end the problems.”
Minister for Health, Social welfare, Elders, Gender and Children Mr Nassor Ahmed Mazrui launched 16-day event in Zanzibar, an occasion that was followed by a short forum to discuss the way forward in ending the violence against children and women.
He said that eventswill involve many activities aimed to increase public awareness and find solutions to end GBV and abuse of children. The World is marking the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence from 25 November to 10 December 2021
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