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ANNUAL RE
PORT
2006
‐200
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CHILDREN’S DIGNITY FORUM (CDF)
“Quest for Children’s Dignity First”
MAKING CHILD MARRIAGE A NATIONAL AGENDA
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CHILDREN’S DIGNITY FORUM (CDF)
ANNUAL REPORT 2006‐2007
“Making Child Marriage a National Agenda”
Children’s Dignity Forum, CDF Kariakoo area, Plot no 65, Block 13, 6th Floor, Junction of Morogoro/Lumumba Street
P. O. Box 65413 Dar es Salaam Tel. +255 22 2182982/1, 2773037 Email: [email protected]
Website: www.cdf‐tz.org
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EDITORIAL
Report Writer
Koshuma Mtengeti
Editorial Board
Dr. Monica Magoke‐Mhoja
Ms. Jane N. Magigita
Ms. Kilines Betty Sekwiha
Publisher
©Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF)
January 2008
ISBN: 9987‐464‐02‐5
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Acronyms CEDAW Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination
against Women
CDF Children’s Dignity Forum
DARF Dignity Alert and Research Forum
IFP International Fellowship Program
LHRC Legal and Human Rights Centre
MPLC Morogoro Paralegal Center
NGOs Non‐Governmental Organizations
NOLA National Organisation for Legal Assistance
PACESHI Shinyanga Paralegal Center
SAHRINGON Tz Southern African Human Rights NGO Network –
Tanzania Chapter
TAMWA Tanzania Media Women Association
TAWLA Tanzania Women Lawyers Association
TWCWC Tanzania Women and Children Welfare Centre
UNCRC United Nations Convention on the Rights of the
Child
WAT Women Advancement Tanzania
WILDAF Women in Law and Development in Africa
WLAC Women’s Legal Aid Centre
WOWAP Women Wake Up
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REFLECTIONS FROM MONICA & JANE
Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF) is privileged to produce its Annual Report covering the period from March 2006 to December 2007. CDF was created as a direct result of a PhD study carried out at Edinburgh University (UK) by one of the founder members Dr Monica Magoke‐Mhoja. The research study was carried out in three regions in Tanzania focusing on three selected districts and ethnic groups: the Maasai in Mvomero (Morogoro Region); the Sukuma in Shinyanga rural (Shinyanga Region); and the Kurya in Tarime (Mara Region).
The research explores the circumstances under which a female‐child encounters early marriage and is then widowed under a plural legal system. The work draws on empirical data which employs the grounded approach in daily life in 3 districts in Tanzania. It examines legal pluralism in Tanzania and the gendered dimensions of the Law of Marriage Act, 1971 and the Local Customary Law on Inheritance, 1963 and how this has impacted upon child‐wives and child‐widows access to justice and other human rights issues.
Economic crisis was evident in the three areas of study and vulnerable groups such as female‐orphans and girls within poor families were the most affected. The situation deteriorated in some incidences as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Female‐children educational achievement was profoundly affected because of early marriage configured with other socio‐cultural constraints. Indeed the grounded research on the impact of child marriage planted the seed to initiate the campaign to end child marriage in Tanzania.
The researcher teamed up with other staunch human rights activists namely, Helen Kijo‐Bisimba, Jane Magigita, Dr Boniphace Idindili, Rehema Kerefu‐Sameji, Ezekiel Masanja, James Mhoja, Esther Mnasizu and Dr Jema Massege who had passion on promoting children’s rights. The team has worked tirelessly to put CDF in action. They established CDF to assist potential child brides, child‐wives, child‐widows and other vulnerable children in reaching their full potential and giving them a hope for the future.
On 13th June 2006 the team launched a national campaign on awareness creation on the impact of child marriage in Tanzania. The period between year 2006 and 2007 aimed at developing a conceptual understanding around child marriage, agreeing on the entry points for policy advocacy and introducing CDF to our potential partners. Being a forum, CDF appreciates the role of its collaborative members in achieving its objectives. Forum members in the Campaign to End Child Marriage in Tanzania includes TAMWA, NOLA, ENVIROCARE, PACESHI, MPLC, WOWAP, TWCWC, LHRC, KULEANA, WLAC, TGNP,TUKOLANE, TAWLA, SAHRINGON (Tz) and WiLDAF. We salute their contribution! International partners include FORWARD, OWA and DARF in the UK; we appreciate the role played by FORWARD, who believed in our noble course and agreed to funds our initial activities.
As we approach the year 2008, CDF will start with producing survey reports as a baseline for our activities to come and implement pilot projects in selected areas that we hope to replicate in future in other parts of the country. Furthermore, a close follow‐ up will be made on the ongoing government efforts to review the Law of Marriage Act No. of 1971 and impact on such reforms.
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We would like to thank Koshuma Mtengeti for coordinating the Forum and SAHRINGON (Tz) for hosting CDF. We further welcome the support of individuals, institutions and development partners to support our programs. Let us work together in unity!
Asanteni sana! (Thank you very much).
Dr. Monica E. Magoke‐Mhoja Ms Jane N. Magigita
CHAIRPERSON/2006 CHAIRPERSON/2007
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Reflection from the Coordinator
To our partners, children’s rights activists and forum members,
This is our first annual report since our registration in March 2006. We are proud to report on what CDF has achieved in 2006‐2007, the challenges and prospects ahead. I appreciate the efforts of all CDF members and volunteers who contributed and supported CDF activities.
CDF was launched in June 2006 and started working on the Campaign against Child Marriage in the same year. In 2007, CDF successfully conducted the National Consultative Meeting to End Child Marriage in Dar es Salaam from 19th to 21st September 2007. The meeting served as a strategic initiative towards the ending of child marriage in Tanzania. During the meeting, strategies to be used in ending Child Marriage were adopted indicating outcomes, activities and most importantly, CDF adopted the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Child Marriages.
CDF has also succeeded in conducting Child Marriage survey in Dar es Salaam (Temeke and Ilala Districts) and Coastal Region (Kibaha district). Efforts are underway to conduct the same survey in Kinondoni, Kisarawe, Mafia and Bagamoyo Districts. The same survey will also be done in Mara and Mwanza Regions in Tanzania. The purpose of this survey is to study the extent of Child Marriage and assessing knowledge, attitudes and practices of Child Marriages in Tanzania.
CDF realises that without the financial support from the Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD), it would not have been possible to register this success. Therefore on behalf of the CDF Executive Committee, I appreciate the FORWARD support.
I am also grateful for the support and commitment I am getting from the Board of Directors, CDF members, volunteers, beneficiaries and all stakeholders who are there to ensure the success of CDF.
It is my sincerity that the cooperation and commitment we are enjoying now will continue towards 2008.
Koshuma Mtengeti
CDF Coordinator
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Background Information
Who we are
The Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF) is a Civil Society children’s rights organization based in Dar es Salaam. CDF was founded and registered in 2006 under the NGO Act No.24/2002. The rationale for establishing CDF is configured with a variety of factors. One of the major factor based on activities and programme carried out and the ongoing are inadequate given the scale and complexity of the children problems in Tanzania. At present, the focus of our work is tackling gender discriminatory practices against children in particular Child Marriage and its consequences.
Vision
Children’s Dignity Forum envisages a Tanzanian society where children live in dignity accorded to social justice.
Mission
Children’s Dignity Forum is striving to contribute to the endeavors to analyze African families’ relationships in conjunction with children’s legal and human rights and put the matter on the public agenda; creating working forum to empower children, the families and the society at large; and to promote and reinforce children’s rights.
Core Values
(a) Voluntary Spirit (b) Social Partnership (c) Stewardship (d) Respect for Human Rights of Children
Objectives The objectives of the CDF as per article 12 of its Constitution are:
1. To promote respect and observance of children’s rights; 2. To explicate human rights based approaches in creating awareness on the rights of children
as well as the role of African families and the current global trends and contemporary changes;
3. To cooperate with Local Governments, the Central Government, Local Authorities, Community Based Organizations, NGOs, International Civil Society, individual corporations & companies, Universities, relevant research institutions, donor agencies and other related groups with similar aims and objectives;
4. To conduct research on families relationships vis a vis children’s rights; 5. To document best practices of human rights based approaches in promoting and protecting
children’s rights in education, health and poverty eradication; 6. To provide a forum for dialogue and a voice for children and child‐rights' advocates; 7. To protect children from harmful traditions such as child marriage; 8. To contribute to improved knowledge of the problems facing Tanzanian children as well as
of policy options; 9. To promote educational activities aimed at inculcating to Tanzanians the basic concepts of
children’s rights and social justice;
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10. To initiate, strengthen or assist development of educational institutions; 11. To raise funds for the purposes of the CDF on such terms as are compatible with the
autonomy of the CDF provided is within the spirit of objectives of the CDF; 12. To strengthen the capacity of CBOs & NGOs to mount effective campaigns on behalf of
children and child‐oriented public policies; and 13. To facilitate governments and Non‐Governmental Institutions develop and implement
effective pro‐child policies and child‐ friendly programme activities; 14. To organize and sponsor conferences, seminars, workshops, meetings and such other
forums with a view to promote children’s rights and social justice; 15. To conduct consultancy relating to children’s rights on good governance, rule of law,
democracy and poverty alleviation; 16. To conduct ‘legal aid and health services’ for vulnerable children and their families; 17. Production and dissemination of such publications and materials as are necessary for the
achievement of the objectives declared herein above.
ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
COORDINATOR
NETWORKING LOBBYING
AND ADVOCACY
DEPARTMENT
OUTREACH AND M&E DEPARTMENT
RESEARCH PUBLICATION &
DOCUMENTATION
DEPARTMENT
FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
MANAGEMENT TEAM
VOLUNTEERS ABND SUPPORT STAFF
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CDF Launching
Children’s Dignity Forum was registered in 2006 and launched in June the same year. The launching was done at Habari Maelezo Conference room and attended by more than fifty members of the Civil Society Organizations, Non Governmental Organization, Government Departments, media personnel and individual human rights activists. During CDF launching, CDF also launched the National campaign on awareness creation on the impact of early marriage in Tanzania. The launching was inaugurated by Mrs. Margareth Kasembe.
The launching was also decorated by the launching of a powerful book on Children’s Rights titled Child‐Widows Silenced and Unheard: Human Rights Sufferers in Tanzania written by Dr. Monica Elias Magoke‐Mhoja.
Mrs. Margaret K. Kasembe – Program Coordinator Ford Foundation International Fellowship Program in Tanzania launching the book: Child‐Widows, Silenced and Unheard: Human Rights Suffers in Tanzania.
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CHILDREN’S DIGNITY FORUM (CDF) LAUNCHING SPEECH
By Mrs. M. Kasembe, Program Coordinator IFP Tanzania
Invited Guests, the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen
I have the honor to take this opportunity to introduce to you the new organization called, Children’s Dignity Forum (CDF) which has centered its mandate on the dignity of the child, with “Child dignity first” as the main slogan. CDF poses a challenge to every Tanzanian to recognize and respect children’s dignity. CDF as an organization is established by activists, most of whom have experience in fighting for human rights. These human rights activists have discovered that though there are various organizations which deal with children’s affairs, there is need for greater effort in undertaking more research regarding the dignity of the Tanzania’s children in their living environments and families in order to come up with recommendations for the government and other stakeholders for the formulation of appropriate policies which emphasize on children’s affairs and children’s well‐being in the light of their own vulnerability.
Children are valuable to the African societies. When a family fails to get a child, various ways are used in order to get one. However, it is surprising that the same society which had anxiously awaited the child end up mistreating this child. Above all, the society has also been known to segregate the children, some on the basis of sex or wealth so that there are those who are viewed more valuable than the others within the same home, family, clan, or community. Consequently, to help overcome this inappropriate situation in our society, CDF has come up with the slogan saying “CHILDREN’S DIGNITY FIRST” irrespective of gender or wealth. All children deserve respect and dignity as a human right.
CDF has realized that there are many children who have not yet been covered by the services offered by intervening institutions and organizations. Therefore, CDF intends to bridge the gap so that their VOICE can be heard in the society. CDF intends to address the plight, for example, of the forgotten married children and child‐widows, whose root cause is child marriage. During this week we are commemorating the International Day for the African Child on 16/06/2006. It is therefore the right time for CDF as an organization to launch the campaign on awareness creation in the society, on the adverse impact of child marriage, which is still prevalent in Tanzania. Parallel with the CDF organization launch, CDF is also launching the book on “Child‐widows” which contains the main consequences of child marriage.
Apart form creating awareness in the society on the adverse impact of child marriage, the campaign intends to involve the society in obtaining their views as well as strategies that could be taken regarding child‐marriages and child‐widows, as well as strategies to be taken in order to prevent those who are at risk of child marriages. Research has shown that the practice of child marriage is common in Tanzania, its prevalence being mainly in villages and amongst poor urban people. Some of the child marriages create intermittent, adverse consequences and impacts, whereas other encounters problems during child marriage have long term and life time impacts.
Intermittent consequences include withdrawal of the girl child from school, so that instant denial to access education is felt. As a school drop‐out, the long term effect on the child is life time illiteracy, dependency, lack of confidence and assertiveness. Failure to get education leads to life time poverty!
Furthermore, the right to decision making, or to air their views is also curtailed. This is another adverse effect which a married child experiences due to the low education level status. Dowry which is offered by some of the tribes is used to depict the child‐wife as a part of the husband property. The child‐wife is often exposed to hazardous health effects. The young body which is not yet fully grown encounters ill health attributed to child pregnancies including blood deficiency during pregnancy, fistula and deaths during labor and birth. Other health problems could result from torture against children after marriage such as being whipped, forced to carry heavy loads, and/or subjected to long hours of hard labor in the farm or the home. Children who get married in polygamous marriages are usually over worked in the justification of helping the elder co‐wife/wives, the in‐laws especially the mother in law. The decision to help around is mainly from either her husband or from the advice of mother in law. Some of these hard conditions on the young body could lead to disabilities.
Psychological effects are usually as a result of the child’s failure to deal with huge responsibilities which are pertinent to conditions within the marriage. Problems with in‐laws, co‐wives, step‐children can have adverse effect on the mental and emotional health of the married child. The most hazardous effect is that of being a widow in childhood. Given that the husband is usually much older than the child, it is almost given that he usually also dies first; leaving the child‐wife to look after her children alone, so that in most times, this child is forced by tradition, to marry another member of her late husband, a brother or even a step son.
The need to eliminate these harmful practices from our society is nigh, so that to‐day I AM TAKING THIS OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH THE CHILDREN’S DIGNITY FORUM (CDF) ORGANIZANTION. This launching is accompanied with the campaign on creating awareness on the consequences/effects/ impacts of child marriage in Tanzania. I AM OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING THIS CAMPAIGN by officially inaugurating the book on “Child‐widows” as a tool to combat the practice of child marriage in our society.
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SAY NO, NO TO CHILD MARRIAGE: The then CDF Chairperson Dr Monica Mhoja challenged Tanzanians to say ‘no to child marriage’. She also highlighted about the formation of CDF, the importance of the campaign and she gave a brief narration of the book. She said that there are a number of configured factors contributing to child marriage, which are complicated and sometimes contradictory, namely: traditional and religious justification; the value of having children; the lack of value in education for girls as well as economic and social reasons. Consequently, the occurrence of child marriage within a patriarchal society indicates gender inequality affecting girls in their daily lives. In line with this, many aspects of law relating to children’s rights sanction female subordination. Statutory and customary laws are infused with patriarchal impurities; they condone child marriages and give the father a leading role.
After entering early marriage, the research found child‐wives to be passive social actors dependent upon families for their support. However, the roots of child‐wives’ violations are found in the power structure of society, in general, and of the family as a socio‐economic institution, in particular. This structure places girls in a subservient position and allows men to subject them to various forms of oppression and victimization. Child‐wives’ stories also indicate flagrant violations of children’s rights by people or relatives close to them such as parents and husbands. Significantly, during marriage child‐wives face many human rights’ violations, such as violence, overwork, lack of education and health problems. Most girls are silenced in the name of tradition; but it is not only the local norms that restrain them; there are other normative orders which can influence a girl’s resistance. A girl’s ability to show resistance varies according to different situations and contexts. Those most able to shift the terms of discourse are those supported by their natal families or other networks.
It is clear that child marriage undermines the self‐confidence and self‐identity of the girls, exposes them to violence, to emotional and psychological problems, and possibly to child‐widowhood. This can be hugely traumatic; their situation is degraded by coping with widowhood while they are still children and immature.
As child‐widows, they often have to face the discriminatory customary law of inheritance (rules) and customs. The Rules favour men and do not adequately protect the interests of widows. They bar widows from inheriting land from their deceased husbands and subject themselves to being inherited. The critical issue of inheritance rights and its compounding of widows’ inequality in the ownership of property, is further complicated in Tanzania by multiplicity of laws (statutory, customary and Islamic law), the uncertainty and confusion of which compounds existing customary practices regarding inheritance matters. All these, in turn, expose child‐widows to further and continuing discrimination and poverty that makes them even more vulnerable. Indeed, the rules violates a woman’s right to have all sex discrimination has been eliminated under the Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and African Charter on Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Furthermore, other configured factors, such as mahari (dowry), witchcraft, polygamy, widowhood rites, property grabbing and the stigma of HIV/AIDS contribute to the exploitation of child‐widows’ inheritance rights. The consequences of such discrimination against child‐widows are severe and constitute infringements of their human rights. The harm inflicted by the discriminatory rules and customs includes economic impoverishment, violence, the contracting of HIV/AIDS and the lack of educational opportunities. Essentially, child‐widows are powerless, although traditional systems,
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such as the clan baraza (tribunal), have advantages in that they are more accessible and have uncomplicated procedures. The major weakness of the baraza is that the compromise reached may reflect the unequal bargaining strengths of the weaker parties, such as child‐wives and child‐widows.
Within the legal framework, courts are arenas where the communities are expected to access justice. However, child‐wives and child‐widows have failed to access primary courts. The problem in Tanzania is that the judicial processes are often expensive and/or corrupt and, therefore, inaccessible and unaffordable to the majority of people. The complexities behind the violation of child‐wives’ and child‐widows’ rights provide the international human rights’ law with a great challenge ‐ that of transforming the rhetoric into reality in Tanzania. To be effective, the international human rights law cannot be used in isolation. Thus, the interventions to address consequences of child marriage should not only be in the legal arena, but there should also be a consideration of the social, cultural and economic forces that have impacted on female‐children’s rights.
The founder and the first CDF Chairperson Dr Monica speaking during the launching of the CDF
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Professor Palamagamba Kabudi from the University of Dar es Salaam, addressing participants during the CDF launching
Participants during the CDF launching at Habari Maelezo Conference Hall
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CDF members and friends entertaining during the CDF launching
Child Marriage Campaign – Step Forward End Child Marriage in Tanzania ‐ Campaign is the current CDF project. The campaign seeks to create awareness on the repercussions of Child Marriage in Tanzania. Child Marriage practice is very common in Tanzania and its prevalence being mainly in villages and amongst the poor urban people. Repercussions of Child Marriage in Tanzania include denial of education, divorce or separation, denial of reproductive rights, domestic violence, psychological and emotional impact and child widowhood. National Consultative Meeting Progression
In August 30th 2007, CDF held a one day consultative meeting as part of its “Child Marriage Campaign in Tanzania.” This consultative meeting served as both a meeting to strategize and plan for a national consultative workshop (held in September 2007) and for planning and strategizing for a national survey on child marriage.
The August 30th meeting also helped in identification of potential stakeholders in the campaign and organizations working and dealing with children’s issues (particularly child marriages) and how to build alliances with other stakeholders with an endeavour to reduce and ultimately end child marriages and to effectively advocate for children’s dignity in Tanzania.
The discussions of the day were also centered on the potential areas of engagement in the campaign and the issues that should be addressed during the National Consultative Workshop. Members shared experience from their organizations and individual work on the
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area of child marriage. The national survey on the extent of Child Marriage in Tanzania was also discussed.
Consultative Meeting Participants brainstorming on how the Campaign should be conducted
Participants agreed to form a Task Force for the National Consultative Workshop which together with the CDF secretariat became the focal point for organizing the National Consultative Workshop.
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Cross section picture of some of the Task Force Members during the first Consultative Meeting, below is the
facilitator of the day Ms. Edda Mariki facilitating the same meeting
Task Force Committee convened on 4th September 2007 to discuss themes of the meeting, selection of facilitators and presenters as well as designed the preliminary timetable of the National Consultative Meeting which was later conducted on 19th – 21st September 2007. Some of the main areas which were identified during the Meeting include the legal reforms with the focus on the age of marriage and the Law of Marriage Act, causes and impacts of child marriage with the focus of cultural, traditions and religions. The role of the media in addressing child marriages issues was also given special priority in making child marriages an agenda in Tanzania.
CDF and FORWARD Meeting During the preparation of the National Consultative Workshop, CDF had an opportunity to meet with FORWARD Executive Director accompanied by one volunteer from the same organization. The two were invited from FORWARD, a UK based organization experienced in organizing and running international Campaigns to End Child Marriages.
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CDF Executive Committee meets with FORWARD representatives Naana Otoo Oyortey and Muna Dol
FORWARD representatives and CDF Executive Committee had an opportunity to discuss about the campaign, areas of intervention and possible donors who can support the campaign in the future.
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The National Consultative Meeting 19th‐21st September 2007
On 19th – 21st September 2007 CDF organized a three‐day National consultative meeting to End Child Marriage held at the Russian Cultural Centre in Dar es Salaam. The meeting brought together fifty (50) participants from various Government institutions; Faith based institutions, Non Governmental organizations and human rights organizations. Two participants were invited from FORWARD. The rest of participants came from within different places in Tanzania. During the meeting, the guest of honour Mrs. Tabitha Siwale (the Executive Chair of WAT and former Minister for Education and Culture), commended CDF for a missionary zeal to end Child Marriages in Tanzania. She reflected that had she been married at the age of a child bride, she would not be serving as a Minister for Education.
The Former Minister of Education and Culture and the Executive Director of Women Advancement Trust (WAT) Mrs. Tabitha Siwale officiates the opening of the CDF Consultative Meeting, Left is Dr. Monica Mhoja the first CDF Chairperson and right is the CDF current chairperson Ms. Jane Magigita
A total of seven papers were presented to inform, raise and facilitate discussions and help to formulate strategies to end child marriages. The papers presented include:
Causes and Impact of child marriage in Tanzania; By Dr. Monica Magoke‐Mhoja Child Marriages; The Medical Impact; By Dr. Praxeda Swai
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Conflict of Laws Relating to Child Marriage in Tanzania: Challenges of Applying International Human Rights Law in relation to Child Marriage in Tanzania; By Justice Natalia Kimaro
Child Marriages in the Islamic Perspective; By Sheikh Hassan Chizenga Advocacy Strategies & Techniques on Child Marriage; the Tool Kit; By Naana Otoo‐
Oyortey Advocacy on Ending Child Marriage: The Role of Media, TAMWA experiences in LINDI
& COAST regions, Lessons Learnt and Challenges; By Monica Lavondo Making Child Marriage a National and Public Agenda; A strategy to Provoke
Community Action against Child Marriage: By Abdallah Ibrahim, and Darius Mhawi
Hon. Justice Natalia Kimaro, Justice of the Tanzania Court of Appeal, presenting the challenges of applying International Human Rights Law in relation to Child Marriage in Tanzania
The overall objective of the workshop was to strategies how to make child marriages a history in Tanzania. Specific objectives were:
To share information on initiatives to end Child Marriages in Tanzania. To review and make recommendations on legal obligations to end Child Marriages. To share experiences on media as an advocacy tool to end Child Marriages. To develop a National forum for making Child Marriage an agenda in Tanzania.
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The Declaration on Child Marriage Participants of the Meeting unanimously passed a declaration to end child marriage in Tanzania. The Declaration was presented by Dr. Monica Mhoja.
Dr. Monica Mhoja presenting the Dar es Salaam Declaration on Child Marriage and left is the Tanzania Law Reform Commissioner, Justice Agusta Bubeshi
We the participants, at the National Consultative Meeting of Stakeholders on Ending Child Marriage, 19‐21, September 2007, make the following declaration:
• That, there is a pervasiveness of child marriages in Tanzania; • That, Child Marriages have dismal physical, psychological and health effects on children; • That, Tanzania has signed and ratified various international conventions on children’s rights
including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC);
• That, we are calling upon the government and other stakeholders to take action including; • Documenting international instruments so that they can be part of the laws and the
enforceable in Tanzania, • To increase the age of marriage from the current age of 14 to at least 18, • To put in place strategies on how to educate the public on the effects of child marriages, • Making Secondary education compulsory and Universal so as to reduce the number of girls
who are in child marriages, We are imploring upon the government and international organisations to recognize and support the efforts by non governmental and civil society organizations and to work together with these organizations in an endeavour to end child marriages.
The Dar es Salaam Declaration on Child Marriages – 21/09/2007
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Participants of the National Consultative Meeting to End Child Marriage in Tanzania
The Guest of Honour, Hon. Justice Agusta Bubeshi (Commssioner for the Law Reform of Tanzania) officially closing the meeting, adjacent is Dr. Monica Mhoja.
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Participants listening attentively during the National Consultative Meeting
Child Marriages Survey CDF conducted a survey on Child Marriage in Dar es Salaam (Ilala and Temeke Districts) and Coastal Region (Kibaha District). The purpose of the survey was:
To assess the prevalence and incidence of child marriages, especially related to the girl child, in the selected regions/districts.
To analyze the various socio‐economic and cultural factors leading to child marriage in the study areas.
To raise awareness on the impact of child marriage amongst the general public and build alliances in view of eliminating child marriage in Tanzania
Survey Prospects CDF planned to conduct a Survey on Child Marriage in Tanzania. Efforts to conduct the survey in the remaining Dar es Salaam and Coastal Region Districts (Kinondoni, Bagamoyo, Mafia and Kisarawe) are underway. There are also promising support to conduct the same survey in Mwanza and Mara regions. It is the CDF intention to cover the large part of Tanzania so as to have a reliable statistics on the extent of the child marriages in Tanzania, attitudes, practice and knowledge on the same. CDF Networking In the part of Networking CDF has also joined the Dignity Alert and Research Forum Limited (DARF) a Scotland based organization aiming at upholding women and children’s dignity and rights in Eastern Africa.
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CDF meetings and training attended
Place and dates Issue Person(s) Attended Land Mark Hotel, Dar es Salaam December 2007
National Organization for the Legal Assistance Strategic Litigation (Discussion on the institution of strategic litigation to challenge provisions of the 1971 Law of Marriage Act)
Juliana Massabo Asina Omari Erasmina Massawe
Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) December 2007
Gender and Organization Development (Gender Mainstreaming Training for the Executive Officials)
Albert Williams
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), 11 December 2007
Discussion on the Tanzania Child Bill
Juliana Masabo Erasmina Massawe
National Library, Dar es Salaam, 28 December 2007
Raising public awareness on the government reporting obligation and implementation of the international covenant on Economic, social and cultural rights in Tanzania
Koshuma Mtengeti
Leaders Club, Dar es Salaam, 6-8 November 2007
Raising public awareness and influence policy and legal change on specific threats to girls and women’s lives
Juliana Masabo
Karimjee Hall, Dar es salaam, 28 October 2007
The launch of Watoto Bomba an informative and colourful book for children growing up in Tanzania
Ms. Rehema Kerefu
National Library, Dar es Salaam, 26 to 27 October 2007
Discussion on report of laws which enhance gender discrimination and human rights violation
Asina Omari
Land Mark Hotel, Dar es Salaam, 11 October 2007
Introduction to the Funding organization AKIBA UHAKI and identification of areas to be funded by Akiba Uhaki
Koshuma Mtengeti Anna Ngwananogu
National Library, Dar es Salaam, 7 August 2007
Three years SAHRiNGON strategic and operation plan
Koshuma Mtengeti
TWCWC Office, Temeke, Dar es Salaam, 5 July 2007
Launching of Tanzania Women and Children Centre (TWCWC)
Asina Omari
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Publications An important aspect of CDF’s work is to provide information, and a key activity is the production and dissemination of materials. We are proud to highlight below the publications that CDF and its members have produced in 2006-2007:
The book tilted “Child‐widows Silenced and Unheard: Human Rights sufferers in Tanzania” (by Dr Monica Magoke‐Mhoja); CDF launched the book on 12th June 06 to commemorate the International African Child Day. In addition there are brochures ‐ highlighting CDF work, and CDF T‐shirt – as a campaign tool “Quest for Children’s Dignity First”.
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A cross‐section of CDF T‐shirt, Brochures, and the book of Child‐Widows silenced and unheard Challenges Being an organization at its infant stage, considering its daily activities, vision and mission, CDF’s currently facing the following challenges:
Insufficient human and material resources Inadequate funds to implement all program activities effectively.
Future Plans The work of the CDF is rights‐based, inspired by human rights values informed by the world experiences and knowledge. It is guided by the needs and conditions of Tanzania’s children as perceived and felt by them, their parents or guardians. It will thus have an African/Tanzanian and children‐driven agenda which at the same time will profit from and be cognizant of world thinking on human rights, gender and development. On that basis, CDF future plans involve:
To continue with the ongoing programs and projects To fundraise for the CDF activities To develop a five year CDF strategic plan
CDF Strategic plans and long‐term plans for tackling child marriage
To promote human rights approaches in creating awareness of children’s rights and the role of African families and the current global trends and contemporary changes
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To cooperate with Local Governments, the Central Government, Local Authorities, Community Based Organisations (CBO’s), National and International Civil Societies (CSOs), corporations & companies, academic and research institutions, donor agencies and groups with similar aims and objectives;
To conduct research on families’ relationships vis a vis children’s rights; To document best practices of human rights approaches in promoting and protecting children’s rights in education, health and poverty eradication.
To provide a forum for dialogue and a voice for children and child‐rights' advocates.
CDF TEAM
Board of Directors The Board of Directors is the governance board of the organization which has the responsibility for policy formulation, strategic guidance and approving programmes of the CDF. For the 2006‐2007 the CDF Board had ten members namely;
Ms. Jane Magigita‐ Chairperson Ms. Helen Kijo Bisimba‐Member Ms. Rehema Kerefu‐ Member Mr. Ezekieli Massanja‐ Treasurer Dr. Boniphace Idindili‐ Member Mr. James Mhoja‐Member Dr. Jema B. Maseghe‐ Member Ms. Esther M. Mnasizu‐ Member Mr. Koshuma Mtengeti‐ Secretary
CDF SUPPORT TEAM
Dr. Monica E. Magoke‐Mhoja‐ CDF Consultant, Founder and Chairperson (2006)
CDF Staff and volunteers Mr. Koshuma Mtengeti‐ Coordinator Enock Maduhu –Part time Accountant Mary Kessy- Part time Assistant Coordinator (2006) Asina Omary –Part time Assistant Coordinator (2006‐Nov 2007)
The Coordinator works with volunteers and interns. CDF has fourteen volunteers namely:
Abdallah Ibrahim‐Trainer Albert Williams‐Psychologists Juliana Masabo‐Lawyer and Advocate Erasmina Massawe‐Lawyer and Advocate
Darius Mhawi‐Trainer Faiza Bashe‐Sociologist Anna Ngwananogu- Administrator
Julius Elias-Researcher Yusra Islem- Lawyer Ebenezer Samwel-Researcher Eliakimu Mtawa-Researcher Salma Maulid-Researcher Emmanuel Jackson-Researcher Jackline Atckson-Researcher
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Funding
CDF is supported by members’ contribution and partners who have agreed to fund its projects. In
2006‐2007 Foundation for Women’s Health Research and Development (FORWARD) funded CDF on
Child Marriage campaign program. One Word Action (OWA) has shown interest on funding Child
Marriage Surveys in Mwanza and Mara regions. Since CDF has enormous vision and mission, efforts
are going on to obtain more funds in ensuring that the targeted projects and programs are
performed efficiently and in a timely manner. On that basis, CDF welcome the support of individuals,
institutions and development partners to support its programs in order to ensure that its objectives
are met and maintained adequately for the benefits of children’s and the whole Tanzanians at large.
2006/2007 IN PICTURES
Dr Mbilinyi from Tumaini University addressing participants during the CDF launching, left is Mr Ezekiel Masanja (Board Member & Treasurer)
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Dr. Monica Mhoja speaking to the press woman during the CDF launching
CHILDRENS DIGNITY FORUM BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31ST DECEMBER 2007 Non Current Assets Computers 1,500,000 Furnitures and Fittings 480,000 1,980,000 Current Assets Cash at bank 9,088,005 Less Current Liabilities Restricted Fund -8,888,005 Accrued Audit fee -200,000 Net Current Assets 0 TOTAL ASSETS 1,980,000 FINANCED BY Accumulated fund 1,980,000 Excess Income over expenditure 0 TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,980,000
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CHILDRENS DIGNITY FORUM INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT for the period of twenty two months ended 31st December 2007 INCOME Restricted Income Foundation for Women's Health, Research and Development(FORWARD) 8,747,000 Unrestricted income Members Contributions 200,000 TOTAL INCOME 8,947,000 EXPENDITURE Planning Meeting 1,300,000 Survey on Child marriage 2,450,000 National Workshop 4,967,000 Bank charges 30,000 Audit fee 200,000 TOTAL EXPENDITURE 8,947,000 Surplus/Deficit 0