By Lake Zone Watch Writer
The prevailing notion that Mara region is the seat of gender violence in Tanzania has now disappeared, a government minister declared on Monday when officiating at celebrations of the climax of 16 Days against gender-based-violence (GBV).
The celebrations were marked at national level at Ingwe Secondary School, a few kilometres from the North Mara Gold Mine in Tarime district.
In attendance as chief guest was the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima.
“Of regions leading in incidents of GBV, Mara is neither the first nor the second,” the minister told a packed crowd of jubilant people who attended the occasion.
She gave an example of two regions of Arusha and Manyara having the highest percentage (43) of girl children who undergo female genital mutilation compared to Mara region’s percentage of 28.
The minister praised the joint efforts taken by several stakeholders – government leaders and the police force in Mara region – for being in the forefront in ending the scourge of GBV.
“We’re doing a commendable job; let’s tell the world that Mara region has lowered its statistics of gender violence. And if it’s possible for Mara region, it’s also possible for other regions,” Dr Gwajima said.
She praised all stakeholders who supported the holding of the anti-GBV celebrations in Mara region this year and for spreading the education campaign to reach the young generation of Tanzanians in primary and secondary schools and the general population in Mara region.
North Mara Gold Mine General Manager, Apolinary Lyambiko, said his company has crafted various programmes towards prevention of gender violence through advocacy of gender balance.
Speaking at the same venue, Tarime Rural Member of Parliament, Mwita Waitara, called for continued education to the people on the hazards of gender violence.
“I’m happy that incidents of gender violence have declined. I congratulate the management of the North Mara Gold Mine for supporting the anti-GBV crusade, said Waitara, a lawmaker from the ruling Chama Cha Mapiduzi.
At the same occasion, Dr Gwajima presented a donation of 222 gas cookers to some women from 11 villages surrounding the North Mara mine.
The cookers were jointly donated by North Mara Gold Mine in collaboration with Taifa Gas to lessen the women burden of looking for fuelwood through use of clean energy.