WiLDAF Tanzania Launches the 2024-16 Days of Activism Campaign to End Gender-Based Violence
Theme: “Towards Beijing +30 Anniversary – Choose to End Gender-Based Violence”
On 25 November 2024, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF Tanzania), in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and the MKUKI Coalition, officially launched the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign. The launch brought together government leaders, civil society organizations, development partners, diplomatic representatives, women’s rights advocates, religious and traditional leaders, and other stakeholders to reflect on progress made in advancing gender equality since the 1995 Beijing Conference and to renew collective commitment to ending violence against women and girls.
The event was officiated by Hon. Prof. Palamagamba Kabudi, Minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs, and featured Ambassador Gertrude Mongella, widely recognized as “Mama Beijing,” as the special guest. Discussions focused on strengthening accountability, improving access to justice, addressing discriminatory laws and practices, and ensuring that women and girls can live free from violence and discrimination.
Key Achievements and Outcomes
1. Strengthened advocacy and collective action
The launch provided a national platform for stakeholders to assess progress under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, identify persistent challenges, and reinforce collective efforts to eliminate gender-based violence. Through the MKUKI Coalition, a network of more than 200 civil society organizations coordinated by WiLDAF Tanzania, the campaign strengthened the call for a unified and sustained response to violence against women and children.
2. Elevated legal and policy reform priorities
The event brought renewed attention to the need for stronger legal protection for women and girls. Key priorities included enacting a specific law addressing gender-based violence, reviewing the Penal Code, reforming the Law of Marriage Act of 1971 to address child marriage, and reviewing discriminatory inheritance laws that negatively affect women, particularly widows.
Stakeholders also called for effective implementation of Section 135 of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Councillors’ Elections Act, 2024, alongside improved reporting mechanisms to prevent and address violence against women in electoral processes.
3. Reinforced government commitment to ending gender-based violence
The Minister of Constitution and Legal Affairs acknowledged progress in advancing women’s rights and access to justice, including the Legal Aid Act and initiatives to expand legal aid services. He also called for continued engagement with WiLDAF Tanzania on legal review and reform, creating an opportunity for further collaboration between government and civil society.
4. Highlighted progress in women’s leadership and participation
Discussions recognized progress in women’s representation in political leadership, Parliament, the judiciary, and other decision-making institutions. At the same time, participants emphasized the need to remove barriers that prevent women from participating fully and safely in public and political life.
5. Increased public awareness and campaign visibility
The launch combined keynote speeches, expert presentations, plenary discussions, a documentary celebrating Ambassador Gertrude Mongella’s contribution to the Beijing Conference, and interactive campaign activities. The event was broadcast live and received coverage across national and international traditional and digital media, extending the campaign’s messages beyond the physical gathering.
6. Promoted inclusive and intergenerational engagement
The participation of women’s rights pioneers, young people, civil society organizations, government representatives, development partners, and religious and traditional leaders reinforced the importance of collective responsibility. Discussions emphasized the need to engage men and boys, support young people’s participation in advocacy, and ensure that efforts to end gender-based violence reach all communities.
Key Recommendations
The launch called on the Government of Tanzania to allocate adequate resources for implementing the second phase of the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children (MTAKUA II), strengthen access to justice and survivor support services, reform discriminatory laws, improve accountability mechanisms, and ensure safe participation of women in elections.
The MKUKI Coalition and its members were encouraged to continue monitoring implementation of the Beijing commitments, strengthen evidence-based advocacy, engage young people and men in challenging harmful gender stereotypes, and sustain collaboration with government institutions to advance legal and policy reforms.
Moving Forward
The 2024 campaign launch reaffirmed WiLDAF Tanzania’s commitment to using law as a tool to advance the rights and empowerment of women and girls. It emphasized that ending gender-based violence requires more than awareness-raising: it demands effective laws, adequate resources, accessible justice, accountable institutions, and collective action.
As Tanzania moves towards the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Conference, WiLDAF Tanzania continues to call on government, civil society, development partners, communities, and individuals to choose action, strengthen accountability, and work together to end gender-based violence and advance gender justice for all.