WiLDAF calls for joint efforts to end violence against girls in Mara region

By mara Online News Writer 

The Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) Tanzania, a pan-Africanist non-governmental organisation devoted to enhancing women empowerment and equality through law, has appealed for collaborative efforts with the society in ending violence against girl children.

“Through devotion and collaboration, it is possible to eliminate violence against girl children, including the age-old tradition of female genital mutilation(FGM),” said WiLDAF Tanzania facilitator Thomas Diwani Mponda at a meeting which yesterday discussed the aforementioned subject at Komaswa village in Tarime district, Mara region 

WiLDAF is implementing a project christened Jamii Imara (loosely translate as Strong Society) in Tarime district funded by the US Embassy to fight the scourge of violence against girl children. 

The meeting – aimed at capacity building for the attendees on understanding critical issues such as FGM , women battery, forced sexual intercourse and denying education to girls to realise their dreams -- drew villagers and government officials from Komaswa, Sombanyasoko and   Nyamerambaro villages which together constitute Komaswa ward.

Tarime District Council Social Welfare Officer, Anthony Nyange, told the meeting that education is one of the basic rights of the girl child which should be given top priority in the society.

 “Helping the girl child isn’t building a house for her; it is about giving her education… help her to get education instead of treating her as a money-spinning enterprise,” he said.

A participant, Nyangige Wanda, appealed to WiLDAF to educate both girls and boys as the target group of the project.

On her part, WiLDAF Tanzania project officer, Suzan Kawanga, asked the participants to spread the knowledge they acquired from the meeting to other villagers to help bring about change in the fight against violence to girls in the region where FGM is still seen as important culture.

There are unconfirmed reports that several hundreds of girls may be subjected to FGM in some parts of the region later this year. FGM is illegal in Tanzania.

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