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Women waking up, standing up for their rights
2008-03-08 09:38:12
By ROSE MWALONGO
Without women the world would have been a vacant place. Kings and emperors are what they are today because of women, mothers of all societies in the world.
As we mark the International Women`s Day, today, let us examine their contribution to the society much as emancipation has a long way to go. Some women still suffer from gender based violence, sexual assaults, rape and discrimination.
Our reporter interviewed Rehema Kerefu, a human right activist in the country and National Coordinator for the Southern African Human Rights Non Governmental Organization (SAHRINGON) Tanzania Chapter during which she gave her views on women and their struggles. Read on:
QUESTION: TODAY is the International Women`s Day. To what extent, can you say, has women emancipation been achieved ever since we celebrated the Women`s Day last Year?
ANSWER: We haven`t achieved much because we are yet to achieve full emancipation.
Domestic violence still remains rampant. Sexual harassment is also rampant on domestic workers and other women.
On the other hand there is a little bit of success because more women are aware of their rights.
Women whose rights have been violated are now more willing to seek help.
It means they understand their rights now unlike in the past when most of them used to suffer in silence.
Even more importantly is that many women are now struggling to improve their lives and their efforts are seen in business, politics and various sectors.
In a way that is very encouraging as it is a step forward in terms of women`s emancipation.
Q: You said more women come to seek help now than before; what kind of help do they mostly seek?
A: Matrimonial, land and disputes in which women demanding their rights for land confiscated from them as well as criminal cases such as rape.
We also have cases involving inheritance where widows have been deprived of their rights by relatives of their deceased spouses.
Q: The Parliament enacted the Sexual Offences Special Provisions Act, 1998 which provides for 30 years imprisonment or life imprisonment for people found guilty of rape. Has this helped to reduce rape and sexual assault cases?
A: The law is there to help people but society does not make good use of it. We now receive even fewer cases on rape and sexual assaults especially those involving family members.
Some relatives tend to mob and to remind the victims that by telling the truth they will lose their relatives for many years and even for life. This at times makes the victims refuse to cooperate.
SOSPA is now used by some people as an excuse not to report sexual assaults and rape cases.
Most people hide such incidents especially when family members are involved.
Q: If you were to become a cabinet minister in charge of women affairs, what one thing would you like to change?
A: I would advocate women`s economic empowerment because it is the only means towards their emancipation.
Women make up 51 percent of the country`s population but the majority of them are the poorest due to lack of economic resources. This makes them lack their basic needs.
Due to economic weakness most of them tolerate inhuman treatment as they have no means to earn their living.
They are thus tied down in marriages which they would gladly break from were they economically powerful.
The Parliament has enacted laws while non- governmental organizations are doing their best to help women but there is still a lot of work to be done.
Furthermore I would repeal the Customary Declaration Order (1963) on inheritance which denies women ownership of property such as land.
I would ensure that I repeal all laws that segregate women in regard to property ownership.
Q: Lastly, what one message do you have to women today?
A: Let them have faith in themselves. They should realize that they are human beings and can achieve whatever they want.
Confidence should be their motto but above all they should be active be in petty business, politics or other economic activities.
Let women remember to demand for their rights when they are deprived of them.
They should not accept harassment as part of their lives but above all they should be principled. Lest we forget that women rights are human rights.
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