3,500 Tanzanians Break Silence on Violence Against Women

When over 3,500 residents from seven neighborhoods in Pemba decided to talk openly about violence against women, something powerful shifted. Three out of four participants were young people, signaling a generation ready to challenge old patterns and build something better.

The community dialogues in Mkoani District brought men and women together to examine the beliefs and practices fueling gender-based violence in their communities. Facilitated by social welfare officers, police, and community advocates with support from UN Women and the European Union, these weren't just lectures but real conversations about real problems.

Participants didn't shy away from hard truths. They discussed harmful beliefs still present in some communities, like the idea that women belong only in the kitchen or that physical discipline shows authority.

The conversations also highlighted economic barriers women face, particularly in the fishing industry. Gender stereotypes push women toward smaller-scale, shore-based fishing while men dominate larger commercial operations, even though women contribute essential work through net repair, fish processing, and trade.

Lucy Tesha, a program specialist at UN Women, noted that poverty and deeply rooted gender stereotypes continue driving violence against women and girls. The dialogues revealed how economic exclusion creates vulnerability, with participants calling for women's fuller participation in economic life to strengthen entire families and communities.

District Commissioner Miza Hassan Faki welcomed the growing willingness among residents to confront these issues openly. She emphasized the need for more awareness sessions and better access to support services for survivors, including clearer information about how to navigate the referral system for gender-based violence cases.

The Ripple Effect

What started as community conversations in seven neighborhoods is creating waves of change across Pemba. When young people make up 75 percent of dialogue participants, they're not just learning about prevention—they're becoming the generation that refuses to accept violence as normal.

The economic empowerment piece matters beyond individual women. When fishing communities recognize women's full contributions and remove barriers to participation, entire local economies grow stronger and more resilient.

These dialogues represent ongoing efforts to build safer environments for women and girls through community participation rather than top-down directives. When neighbors talk honestly with neighbors, real transformation becomes possible.