Government strengthens women, children protection committees

DODOMA: THE government has announced plans to significantly bolster Women and Children protection committees as part of its efforts to combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and violence against children.

This was announced on Tuesday in Dodoma by the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, and Special Groups during a budget support policy dialogue meeting held in Dodoma.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr Seif Shekalaghe said the initiative is set to be implemented during the 2025/26 fiscal year.

Dr Shekalaghe said these committees were crucial in addressing the pressing issue of violence against women and children.

“The government intends to integrate these committees into the plans and budgets of Local Government Authorities to ensure their effectiveness” He said.

He added, “Strengthening these committees will play a crucial role in reducing the prevalence of GBV and Violence Against Children (VAC). By empowering these committees, the government aims to create a more supportive environment for vulnerable individuals and promote gender equality.”

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The meeting also focused on discussing the progress made in the implementation of the programme.

Participants agreed on several key measures, including increasing the budget allocated to combat child marriage, strengthening data collection on violence cases, and ensuring timely reporting on the progress made. The government’s commitment to strengthening Women and Children Protection Committees is a positive step towards protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals and creating a more equitable society.

By investing in these committees and implementing effective strategies, Tanzania can make significant strides in addressing the challenges of GBV and VAC.

The programme is a global gateway flagship aiming at accelerating the progress towards gender equality and empowering women and girls in Tanzania. It began in 2022 and is set to run until 2025, with an ongoing extension planned until 2027.

The initiative, funded by the European Union, focuses on several key areas: economic empowerment, leadership and decision-making, GBV and access to justice.

This initiative is designed to create structural changes by addressing the root causes of gender inequality and ensuring that women and girls can fully exercise their rights and participate equally in all aspects of society.

Since its launch the initiative has made significant strides in promoting gender equality. In the realm of economic empowerment, over 10,000 women have been trained in green and digital sectors, and more than 1,500 women-led businesses have received support through grants and mentorship programmes.

This has not only enhanced women’s skills and employability but also boosted their entrepreneurial ventures.

Additionally, the initiative has successfully increased the representation of women in leadership roles by 25 per cent, ensuring their voices are heard in both public and private sectors. This has led to the development of more gender sensitive policies, reflecting the growing influence of women in decision-making processes.

In addressing GBV, the initiative has reached over 1 million people through nationwide awareness campaigns, significantly raising awareness about the issue.

More than 50 support centres have been established, providing essential services such as legal aid, counselling, and shelter to survivors.

Furthermore, the expansion of legal aid services to rural and underserved areas has benefited over 20,000 women and marginalized groups, ensuring better access to justice. Training programmes for judges and law enforcement officers on gender-sensitive approaches have also been conducted, contributing to a more supportive and just environment for women in Tanzania.