END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
End Violence Against Women (EVAW) is a ground-breaking campaign representing 7 million individuals and organisations across the UK. We believe we can and must create a world free from the threat and reality of violence against women.
End Violence Against Women is an unprecedented coalition of individuals and organisations who are calling on the Government, public bodies and others to take concerted action to end violence against women. Members include Rape Crisis, Women’s Aid, the Women’s National Commission, Amnesty International UK and the TUC.
TANZANIAN PRESIDENT SIGNS UNIFEM’S SAY NO TO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN CAMPAIGN
Dar es Salaam, 27 May 2008 — President of the United Republic of Tanzania H.E. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete signed UNIFEM’s Say NO to Violence against Women campaign on Saturday 24 May 2008 in Dar es Salaam. At a colourful ceremony at Mnazi Mmoja Grounds, the president led more than 2,000 people from government ministries and institutions, universities, schools, women’s organizations, unions, the UN, and development partners to add their names to the campaign. In doing so, President Kikwete, who is also Chair of the African Union, became the second African head of state, after President Wade of Senegal, to sign onto the UNIFEM-led campaign, making a clear demonstration of his Government’s high-level commitment to making ending violence against women a priority. The ceremony was c oordinated by the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children (MCDGC) with support from UNIFEM, the South African High Commission in Dar es Salaam, the European Union and the Embassy of Spain.
President Kikwete called on women to break the silence on violence and seek redress for violations. Indicating that laws, systems and institutions in Tanzania do not adequately respond to violence against women, the president declared, “We as a government are ready to work together with development partners to review laws and take whatever measures necessary to prevent and eliminate violence against women.” The president called on all ministries, regional governors and district commissioners to actively promote the campaign.
The ceremony provided an opportunity for two women survivors of violence to share their experiences. Thirty-four-year-old Asha spoke about her loosing an eye as a result of domestic violence meted out by her husband. Another woman, Tatu Bakari, told the audience how all her property was taken away by in-laws following her husband’s death in 2006, leaving her with no means of supporting her two children.
“We must say NO to violence against women; it is dehumanizing,” said Hon. Margaret Sitta, Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children. “I appeal to all to come out and sign onto the campaign and to the government to provide resources for addressing violence against women.”
European Union Ambassador Tim Clarke congratulated Tanzania for promoting the empowerment of women visible in high offices held in the United Nations, AU Commission, African Parliament, Government, Parliament and at all levels of decision making. Having said that, the Ambassador regretted that inequity and injustice are still a part of everyday life for women, particularly in the rural areas. “On my behalf and that of the EU, I pledge to make a difference, to take concrete, measurable steps to promote women’s and girls rights. I believe there is no more worthy or noble cause than to stop all violence against women and girls,” he concluded.
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