Fighting against Gender Based Violence (with special emphasis on Female Genital Mutilation – FGM)

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a grave reality in the lives of many women in Tanzania. It results from gender norms and social and economic inequalities that give privilege to men over women. GBV and discrimination are the major issues that hinder women from effectively enjoying their fundamental human rights across the globe. Tanzania is one of the developing countries with high prevalence of gander Based violence.

Although GBV affects both men and women, the problem manifests itself higher in women and children than men.  Violence against women means any act of violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women. It also includes threats which such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life ( UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 1993).

Violence Against Women (VAW) takes different forms, such as sexual violence, physical (Domestic) violence and psychological violence. It includes rape, sexual harassment at work or other places, trafficking of women and girls, forced prostitution, beatings, torture, harmful traditional practices like FGM, denial of freedom, discrimination on land and property ownership, economic and financial gain deprivation, discrimination and deprivation of rights to inheritance, education, employment and /or political position etc. It also includes violating rights such as right to life, right to physical integrity, right to liberty and personal safety, right against torture or cruelty, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, or right to health.