The level of gender-based violence in Iringa Region is 54 percent

 

Msanii kutoka Kikundi cha Sanaa cha Mundu Cultural Groups maarufu kwa jina la Mussa Manyoka akionyesha umaili wake wa kucheza na nyoka wakati wa uzinduzi wa siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia uliyofanyika katika viwanja vya Mwembetogwa, Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Iringa jana.

Katibu Tawala wa Mkoa wa Iringa, Wamoja Ayubu (wa tatu kushoto) akipitia hotuba yake kabla ya kuisoma huku wageni wengine wakifuatilia burudani iliyokuwa ikitolewa na Kikundi cha Sanaa cha Mundu Cultural Groups wakati wa uzinduzi wa siku 16 za kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia uliyofanyika katika viwanja vya Mwembetogwa, Halmashauri ya Manispaa ya Iringa jana. (Picha zote na Friday Simbaya)

Iringa Region is one of the regions that have the highest concentration of cases of gender based violence (GBV), according to the study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2012.

25 November is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and the start of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence. The 16 Days of Activism end on 10 December (International Human Rights Day).

The statement was made yesterday by the Iringa Regional Administration Secretary (RAS), Wamoja Ayubu during the launching of the 16 days against gender-based violence held at Mwembetogwa grounds in the Iringa Municipal Council.

She said that the research shows that the level of gender-based violence in Iringa Region is 54 percent, adding that this rate is higher compared to the national average of 44 percent.

RAS said that the study suggests that there is a strong correlation between the presence of acts of sexual violence and the increase in HIV Infection (HIV) and AIDS.

"Our region of Iringa is one of the regions that has a high prevalence of HIV and AIDS to be 9.1 percent (10.9 women and men 6.9); and to make it become the second region in Tanzania to be infected by HIV and AIDS after Njombe region with 14.9 percent of infections, "said Ayubu.

She said that the relationship of acts of sexual violence and HIV and AIDS increase is due to the fact that many acts of sexual violence against children was especially unprotected sex without using condoms, thereby accelerating HIV infection and AIDS.

Likewise, customs and traditions hazards such as widow inheritance, having multiple sexual partners, poverty and their excessive drinking contributes significantly to physical violence and sexual violence, leading to an increase in HIV and AIDS.

GBV is a problem that needs to harness the collective responsibility between government and non-governmental organizations, religious organizations, political parties and individuals to be held accountable accordingly to minimize acts of sexual violence in Iringa Region.

In addition organizations such as USAID, Engender Health, JHPIEGO-VOICE, AFRICARE, WCS and UNICEF together with officials from the Department of Community Development, Department of Health and Social Welfare, Police and courts were involved in to prepare inauguration against acts of sexual violence in Iringa yesterday.

The joint launch was also accompanied by the slogan for 2015's "Opens: Take action and defend a child to have education". 

Around the world, 246 million children experience gender‐based violence at or on their way to school every year. 

A report released by the United Nations Human Rights Council noted that attacks on schools occurred in at least 70 countries between 2009‐2014, and that approximately 3,600 attacks against schools, teachers and students were recorded in 2012 alone.

The truth is that gender‐based violence in schools is happening in every country in the world right now. 

It is a global phenomenon preventing children, especially girls, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups from accessing a safe, inclusive and quality education.