Chongoleani, where young girls decide enough is enough

TANGA: LIFE must go on for a young woman named Hadija (not her real name), who is only 19 years old. When she was only 7 years, her father attempted to assault her sexually, but luckily he did not succeed.

At that time her mother was pregnant with her little sister and father fled to Zanzibar where he has been living ever since and has never seen his children again or provided any support for them.

“Even though I haven’t seen him in years, the memories of that experience still haunt me but I feel sad for my little sister who has not had the opportunity to meet her father who is still alive but does not want anything to do with us,” she says.

Another young woman narrates how her uncle raped her when she was 9 years old and she got serious injuries and had to be hospitalised for over a week. The sad part is that the family decided to settle the matter and not pursue justice for her. At 21 now, she still vividly remembers the incident as if it happened yesterday.

“The experience has completely damaged me physically and emotionally as I was told that when I was in hospital the procedures that were done to save my life meant that I cannot be able to conceive, and whenever I see the uncle I feel very disgusted, she says

Another young lady was abandoned by her father and she ended up living with her mother at her uncle’s home. When she told her mother about her uncle’s attempt to sexually abuse her, the mother chose to ignore the matter—possibly because they had nowhere else to turn.

The momentum for action against gender-based violence, including sexual abuse, is growing in Tanga. In response to the serious issue of sexual violence and the increasing societal trend of private settlements that let offenders walk scot free in exchange for small ransoms, a group of young women from Tanga City’s Chongoleani ward decided to take action.

Two of the three young women who narrated their ordeals are part of the group united to fight gender and sexual abuse in Chongoleani Ward by forming the Young Women Reflection Action Circle.

They seek to bring about change in line with recent concerns from a range of Tanga Region stakeholders and leaders.

“Zima Ukatili, WashaUpendo” (End Violence, Ignite Love) is the campaign name that the YWF launched with logistical and financial support from Tanga Youth Talent Association, a non-governmental organisation that is at the forefront in the fight against gender and children-based violence as well as ActionAid Tanzania.

The campaign seeks to put an end to actions that undermine community cohesion, inflict fear and injustice and violate people’s rights and dignity.

The EACOP terminal infrastructure which is being built in Chongoleani will undoubtedly make the area a bustling centre with a significant influx of newcomers. This makes the timing of the campaign perfect, as the community will face both opportunities and challenges from the influx of new residents.

The campaign aims to address and eradicate injustices by raising public awareness, advocating tenacity and taking decisive action. George Bwire, Director of TAYOTA, states that the local campaign’s goal is to change leadership behaviour and community practices to establish a just and safe environment for women and children.

“The initiative’s goal is to empower survivors, raise awareness and hold authorities accountable while ensuring justice and a peaceful life for all community members,” Bwire says.

Bwire highlights that the campaign aims to uphold laws and regulations while fostering a community where safety and dignity are of utmost importance.

“Sexual violence is a serious human rights violation that leaves victims with long-term physical, emotional and psychological scars, yet the path to justice is frequently obstructed by corruption,” he says.

He adds, “Leaders and authorities who are supposed to protect, perpetuate the cycle of abuse and betray the community’s trust when they accept bribes or favours to dismiss cases of sexual violence.”

A culture of impunity is fostered by this cycle of “sexual corruption,” in which offenders use bribes to evade punishment.

Bwire notes that this gives the false impression that power and wealth can purchase protection and silence, making victims feel alone and marginalised. “This campaign aims to expose and eradicate this toxic combination of sexual violence and corruption,” he says.

The campaign’s anticipated results include a rise in the number of cases that are reported, an increase in the number of survivors who use support services (such as counselling, legal assistance and medical care), and better implementation and enforcement of laws and policies pertaining to sexual violence and corruption.

The project also seeks to improve leaders’ accountability through increasing the number of cases that are reported and holding leaders accountable for negligence or corruption related to sexual assault cases.

The YWF will carry out research and create a report on the causes and effects of sexual violence and corruption, according to TAYOTA Program Manager Fatma Mkota. Leaders in local government will receive this report to promote change and improve campaign tactics.

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According to her, the YWF will seek to promote the enforcement of laws and policies regarding sexual violence, assisting the community in identifying current laws against sexual violence and corruption.

Youths will regularly participate in awareness-raising seminars about sexual violence and corruption in schools and community centres. There will be informational posters and other materials in various locations that guide identifying and preventing sexual violence and corruption.

To raise awareness, the campaign will also make use of local media like community radios. Ms. Mkota places strong emphasis on community involvement, saying that through enlisting locals, the campaign hopes to create a movement that demands change.

To ensure that everyone is involved and has the information and resources necessary to fight sexual violence and corruption, this will be accomplished through workshops, community gatherings, widespread mobilisation and demonstrations.

ActionAid Tanzania Representative Adolfina Kibogoya observes that the campaign upholds children’s right to a high-quality education while advocating for their protection against all forms of violence.

“Violence against children is a problem that has taken root in many communities, especially in Chongoleani, and requires concerted efforts from all stakeholders to protect and promote the well-being of our children,” she says.

Kibogoya continues, “Programs run by ActionAid are designed to address the traditions, customs, attitudes and behaviours that support discrimination against and violations of children’s rights in society and at school. We aim to increase children’s ability to recognise and take action to prevent the harm caused by sexual violence,” she says.

An important step in making Chongoleani and Tanga in general,  a safer and more encouraging place for all citizens is the “Zima Ukatili, WashaUpendo” campaign. Through community empowerment and holding offenders accountable, the initiative aims to lower the rate of gender-based violence in the area.