FAWE raises public awareness on patriarchy’s repercussions

ZANZIBAR: IN a bid to promote gender equality, the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) – Zanzibar has launched a public awareness campaign to highlight the negative effects of patriarchy on society.

This initiative aims to increase understanding among community leaders, local government administrators, gender-based violence (GBV) coordinators and women’s rights activists, ultimately fostering a more equitable society.

Patriarchy is characterised by a system where women face economic dependence, violence, exclusion from decision-making and are often relegated to subordinate roles. It promotes male leadership and dominance, creating divisions in labour that label certain jobs as “men’s work” and others as “women’s work.”

Speaking at the Tunguu Regional Conference Hall in Unguja, FAWE-Zanzibar Project Coordinator Mr Mohammed Khatib Mohammed emphasised the importance of capacity-building training for activists. He stated that the goal is to prevent patriarchy from contributing to GBV and to encourage positive roles that support equality between boys and girls as they grow up.

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“We want to ensure that patriarchy plays a positive role in promoting equality,” Mr Mohammed said, highlighting the collective responsibility needed to address sexual violence and moral decay among youth.

Senior Officers from UN Women, including Jesca Msafiri and Godlizan Bakari, reinforced the message during public awareness meetings. They stressed the crucial roles that local leaders, religious figures and women’s rights activists play in advancing women’s and girls’ rights alongside gender equality.

“Let us work together to educate our communities and develop strategies that will help reduce or completely eliminate GBV and gender disparity, allowing all girls to excel in their education,” Ms Msafiri urged.

The training organised by FAWE-Zanzibar, with support from UN Women, saw participation from over 60 individuals, including local anti-GBV coordinators, gender activists and religious leaders, all committed to fostering a more equitable future.