Speaking to the press after the launch, which took place during the Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Week in Arusha, the director of the Legal and Human Rights Center, (LHRC) , Dr. Anna Henga, revealed that the research findings included data from the police, specifically from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The report indicated that an average of 492 women were killed annually, translating to 43 women murdered each month during this period.
Dr. Henga added that by September 2022, there had already been 472 recorded cases of women killed, corresponding to an average of 53 women per month, as opposed to the previous 43 per month. This suggests a worrisome increase in the number of women being murdered each month.
The report identified various factors contributing to these killings, including jealousy in relationships, harmful cultural practices and customs, superstitious beliefs, property disputes, lack of education, patriarchal systems, and economic dependency.
In addressing these challenges, the report proposed several policy and program recommendations, emphasizing the need for comprehensive legislation to address gender-based violence, including women's murders, domestic abuse, and the protection of survivors. This is in contrast to the current situation where such offenses fall under the Penal Code.
Furthermore, the report called upon the government, specifically the Ministry of Health, to establish dedicated gender-specific data collection mechanisms for women's and girls' deaths. This would help monitor trends and assess the extent of the issue while enhancing the investigation of female murders.
"Besides collecting gender-disaggregated data for both intentional and unintentional female deaths, the Ministry should also record deaths unrelated to relationships," stated Dr. Henga.
Assistant Police Commissioner from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, who also heads the Child Protection Unit against human trafficking, Tulibake Kasongwa, disclosed that the government had set up 420 gender desks in police stations across the country to address such incidents. This initiative had contributed to a 2% reduction in female murders, from 305 deaths in 2020 to 298 in 2023.
She highlighted the government's effort to combat these issues through the establishment of gender desks in police stations.
Contributing to the discussion, various stakeholders, including Reverend Richard Hananja, urged development partners in the country to promote positive dialogue that would restore human dignity and value without gender bias.
He also encouraged religious institutions to involve legal experts in the marriage officiation process to educate couples on the intrinsic worth of each individual.
This is in line with the theme of CSO Week 2023: "Tech X Society: Then, Now, and Beyond
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