In a significant move to combat gender-based violence (GBV), faith leaders and community members in South Pemba, Tanzania, have come together to validate a Regional Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children. The meeting, held at the Gombani Conference Hall, brought together 45 leaders, including 27 men and 18 women from Chake Chake and Mkoani districts. The plan aims to address the unique challenges faced by the region and provides a framework for cooperation among government institutions, faith and community leaders, and other stakeholders.
The regional plan adapts Zanzibar's National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children to South Pemba's social, cultural, and economic context. It seeks to strengthen prevention and protection, improve referrals for survivors, mobilize local resources, and ensure that vulnerable groups receive appropriate support. Faith leaders identified several actions they could take within their communities, including advocating for stronger local bylaws, identifying areas where GBV is prevalent, conducting public awareness campaigns, and improving referral pathways for survivors.
Faith leaders have a crucial role in shaping attitudes and influencing behavior due to the trust they enjoy within their communities. Through sermons, family engagement, community outreach, and dialogue, they can help challenge beliefs and practices that contribute to violence against women and children, child marriage, and discrimination. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has supported faith leaders in Zanzibar to establish GBV Action Groups and strengthen their capacity to promote prevention, protection, and referrals for survivors.
According to Amina Alawi, a faith leader from Chake Chake, a regional approach is essential because communities face different challenges. She emphasized that GBV incidents vary from one region to another in Zanzibar, and a contextualized strategy will enable faith leaders to concentrate on issues specific to their regions. Sheikh Ali Mohamed noted that the approach could also help mobilize resources to address the most pressing challenges in individual communities.
The initiative seeks to make violence prevention a shared responsibility involving families, communities, religious leaders, government institutions, and service providers. UNFPA Representative in Tanzania, Mr. Mark Schreiner, stressed that lasting change required communities to take an active role in preventing violence and protecting women and girls. He emphasized that ending GBV requires more than responding when violence occurs; it requires communities to prevent violence, challenge harmful norms, protect those at risk, and ensure that every survivor can access quality, survivor-centered services.
The South Pemba initiative received support from the Embassy of Ireland, which brought local stakeholders together to strengthen community-based efforts to prevent and respond to GBV and harmful practices. The regional plan provides a framework for cooperation among government institutions, faith and community leaders, and other stakeholders. Its effectiveness will depend on sustained collaboration, adequate resources, and the implementation of the proposed actions.
For women and children in South Pemba, the next step is to translate the commitments made during the validation meeting into practical action within their communities. Religious and community leaders are expected to play a role in raising awareness, challenging harmful practices, and connecting survivors with appropriate support services. The plan offers an opportunity to bring the fight against GBV closer to the communities where prevention, protection, and support are needed most.
Key points
- Faith leaders in South Pemba, Tanzania, have validated a regional plan to end violence against women and children.
- The plan adapts Zanzibar's National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children to South Pemba's context.
- Faith leaders will play a crucial role in implementing the plan, including advocating for stronger local bylaws and improving referral pathways for survivors.
