WOMEN MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT SHOULD LEAD THE FIGHT AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE IN THE MARA REGION

 

When she was first elected as the First Woman Member of Parliament to represent Tari me Town, Esther Matiko did not know just how much was in her plate. The women of the Mara region, and specifically the Kuria people had done an unimaginable historic thing! Electing a woman as a leader was unheard of with professionals from the region viewing this as a turning point for a society and a community that has regarded women as lower tools, whose place is only in the kitchen. Ms. Matiko’s election was highly viewed by local Non-governmental organizations as a plus for women to help advocate against the Female Genital Mutilation- a practice that is rampant in the region. Research also shows that the interests of women, children and families are more likely to be taken into account by a woman leader as opposed to a man leader

                                              

FGM is not the only issue affecting the women and girls from the Mara region, there exists other oppressive gender based Norms and values to women and girls in Mara Region that are not talked about . The Mara region is governed by traditional gender based oppressive norms and values as well as gender based violence. They are deeply rooted and socially accepted despite the negative effects they pose to women and girls.

Among the oppressive norms and values that negatively affect women and girls are. Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), Early Marriages, Women’s Property and Inheritance Rights, Women Cleansing, and older women marrying young women which is commonly  known as “Nyumba Ntobhu” and “Nyumba Mboke”. (When an older woman with cows marries a younger woman for bearing children for the older woman). The problem is accelerated by the traditional believes, ignorance of policy makers and law enforcers, peer pressures that humiliates young girls who are not abiding to the norms and values (if a girl is not mutilated is called “Omusaghane” and a Boy who is not circumcised is call “Omurisya”. This is an abuse to a girl or Boy in Mara Region). FGM is appreciated by Kurya, Isenye, Nata, Ngoreme, Ikoma, Zanaki, Ikizu, Kabwa, Simbiti, Kiroba and many others.

The exercise is accompanied by cultural dances and prizes to girls who undergo FGM. Traditionally it is believed that, FGM is an imperative traditional practice for the purpose of improving hygiene and reduces sexual desire  to women and girls hence they don’t become prostitutes. It is also believed that, the practice keeps women away from misfortune.

FGM is taken for granted by men, law enforcers and community members at large, and in most cases, nothing is done about it. Thousands of girls have dropped from school after undergoing this practice with the belief that they are ripe for marriage . This has created more problems has healthwise this girls find complications during birth , some die will giving life, some are unable to take care of their children and husbands are therefore sent away from homes thus becoming dependence on their already overburdened parents . It is estimated that, almost 400 girls and young women undergo FGM in Mara region every year.  Such can be interpreted as out of 10 girls and young women, 4-5 of them are genitally mutilated. The nature of the problem is not the same in all districts, the problem is more acute in Districts like Tarime, Serengeti, and some divisions of Musoma

In trying to address this and many other problems affecting the women and the girl child, the media has been less supportive. The media are a powerful tool in fighting GBV because they not only report on society but help shape public opinion and perceptions. Many non-governmental organizations working around ending  and or curbing Gender based violence in Tanzania have come up to train jonourlists on how to report on GBV issues, but nothing much is coming out of it. Is it time we changed strategy?

In most of our media houses, GBV issues are covered in a rather insensitive ways, with screaming headlines that tend to trivialize the experiences of Women. To make it worse, men constitute a higher proportion of sources than women in coverage of GBV, even though women constitute 98% of those who experience the vice and most stories arise from court reporting as very few record firsthand accounts of women. We lack sensitive and first hand reporting of GBV issues that target women and thus the question: Is the media part of the problem or solution in ending GBV.

The government should closely work with the media and other stakeholders such as families, the men and foster activities aimed at eliminating the practice .The Media should work towards desisting from reinforcing gender oppression and stereotypes in its coverage of gender-based violence stories. Part of the media’s role is to set the agenda and influence public opinion on issues of public interest. Thus, the media can be agents of change by bringing societal ills such as GBV out for public debate and dialogue

The Writer is the editor, JARIDA HURU COMMUNICATIONS