UNFPA, Stakeholders Urge Strengthening of Digital Safety to Combat Online Gender-Based Violence



The government has stated that gender-based violence continues to be one of the major human rights challenges in the country, with national statistics indicating that 39.5 percent of women aged between 15 and 49 have experienced various forms of violence, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse from their partners.

Stakeholders have also advised strengthening digital safety measures and addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) to enable women and girls to fully participate in education, economic opportunities, leadership, and civic life.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in Zanzibar, Abeda Rashid Abdallah, made these remarks in Dar es Salaam while speaking at a national meeting on indicators of gender-based violence facilitated through technology (TFGBV).

The meeting was organized by the United Nations Population Fund in collaboration with C-Sema, aiming to strengthen Tanzania’s efforts in addressing the growing digital violence against women and children.

Elaborating further, Abdallah noted that technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a rapidly growing issue, encompassing acts such as the non-consensual sharing of private images, online sexual harassment, digital threats, hate speech, and abusive language.

She emphasized that such acts significantly affect the psychological and social well-being of victims, particularly women and girls.

She added that more than half of young women have experienced online harassment, a concerning trend especially as the use of technology continues to expand rapidly across the country.

The UNFPA Resident Representative in Tanzania, Melissa Barrett, stated that technology should serve as a tool for empowerment rather than harm. She stressed that as internet access increases, there must be strong measures to ensure women and girls can safely use digital spaces without fear of harassment.

“It is important for digital innovation to contribute to gender equality and the protection of human rights,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Ambassador of Finland to Tanzania, Theresa Zitting, highlighted that through cooperation between the Government of Finland, UNFPA, and the Government of Tanzania, efforts are underway to share global expertise in digital governance, cybersecurity, and ethical use of technology. These initiatives aim to ensure that technological advancement promotes gender equality rather than widening the gap of violence.

On his part, UNFPA Gender Programme Officer Ally Ahmad said the meeting plays a crucial role in building a shared understanding of the challenges posed by technology-driven gender-based violence in Tanzania.

Through discussions involving various stakeholders, including the government, international organizations such as UNFPA, technology experts, and community members, the initiative seeks to strengthen collective action against online gender-based violence.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MARKET CAPITALIZATION AT DAR ES SALAAM STOCK EXCHANGE RISES IN FEBRUARY, CEO COMMENDS INVESTORS

Image
The Chief Executive Officer of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), Mr. Peter Nalitolela, has commended investors following a significant increase in the market capitalization recorded in February this year. Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam while presenting the market performance report for the month of February, Nalitolela said the total market capitalization reached TZS 34.6 trillion across 28 listed companies. Of this amount, domestic listed companies—22 in total—accounted for TZS 24.2 trillion. He noted that this marks a substantial increase compared to February last year, when total market capitalization stood at TZS 19 trillion, while domestic companies accounted for TZS 12.1 trillion. “Year-on-year, our market has recorded strong growth. We thank investors for their continued confidence,” he said. Nalitolela also highlighted the performance of pension funds from both the public and private sectors that have invested in the stock market, noting that their investment va...
Read more

Muslim Hassanali Returns to Politics, Seeks CCM Nomination for Kinondoni Parliamentary Seat.

Image
Muslim Hassanali, who previously contested for the Ilala constituency parliamentary seat in 2015 under the opposition party CHADEMA, has resurfaced in the political arena—this time collecting a nomination form to run for Member of Parliament in Kinondoni under the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Hassanali, who later officially joined CCM, now joins a growing list of party members who have declared their intentions and collected nomination forms to seek the party’s endorsement ahead of the upcoming general elections. The process of collecting and returning nomination forms within CCM officially began on June 28, 2025, and is expected to conclude by July 2, 2025. Hassanali’s move signals a potentially competitive race within the party as aspirants vie for various leadership positions.
Read more

*Government Launches 15274 Hotline to Ease Access to National ID Information

Image
Dar es Salaam: The Government has urged citizens to use their mobile phones by dialing *15274 to easily access information related to National Identification Cards (NIDA). Speaking today, December 29, 2025, the Minister for Home Affairs, George Simbachawene, said the service will enable citizens to check the status of their National ID cards, including whether the card has been produced or not, with feedback provided within five days. He explained that through this number, citizens will receive important information regarding their National IDs, adding that damaged ID cards are expected to be replaced starting February 2026. “By using this number, you will be able to get information on whether your ID card has been produced. I emphasize that damaged ID cards will be issued in February 2026,” said Minister Simbachawene. The Minister further noted that the Government has put in place a strategy to introduce the use of a single identification card for accessing various government services...
Read more