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Dar es Salaam. Activists have renewed calls for the government to amend outdated laws, especially aspects of customary law they say underpin much genderbased violence, as cases continue to rise, particularly those facilitated through digital platforms.

The appeal came on Friday, 3 October 2025, from Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF). This occurred during the National Dialogue on Technology-Facilitated Violence and Violence Against Women in Elections.

The dialogue is part of ongoing efforts leading to the global 16 Days of Activism Against GenderBased Violence campaign. The WiLDAF National Coordinator, Ms Anna Kulaya, reiterated the urgent need for legal reforms, noting that activists have long urged the government to review laws that deny women equal rights to property and inheritance.

“For many years, we have been advocating for changes to customary laws that deny women the right to inherit land and other property. This denial has caused psychological violence and, in some cases, discouraged women from seeking political positions due to online harassment,” she said.

She noted that while technology is a powerful tool, it has also become a channel for abuse. Women engaging in public or political life increasingly face offensive messages on social media, which can discourage their participation and harm their mental health.

According to her, the gathering brought together stakeholders to develop concrete recommendations for government consideration. She emphasised the importance of digital literacy and community awareness to ensure technological spaces uphold women’s dignity and rights.

Citing UN Women research, Ms Kulaya revealed that over 80 per cent of women have experienced various forms of violence, including psychological abuse and technologyfacilitated harassment. She urged the government to address stakeholder demands to update laws in line with present challenges.

“There are several laws requiring urgent amendment, such as the Marriage Act. Other countries have enacted specific legislation to tackle genderbased violence.

As technology, including AI, becomes part of daily life, we must act now,” she added. Tanzania Women CrossParty (TWCP) Country Coordinator, Dr AveMaria Semakafu, said online abuse is a serious threat, instilling fear among women and discouraging political and leadership participation.

“For example, a woman may receive abusive messages directly to her phone and, even with clear evidence, fails to obtain justice,” she said. She added that courts sometimes refuse to accept mobile messages as evidence because laws still discriminate against women.

Dr Semakafu said online abuse also occurs within close relationships, where women receive threatening messages from partners or relatives urging them to withdraw from public engagement or leadership. “As a result, many women fear claiming their democratic rights.

Through this platform, we aim to develop a joint resolution that will awaken and engage key stakeholders,” she said. .

Mwanza. The Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) has pledged that, if granted the mandate to govern, its immediate priority will be to hold accountable all individuals responsible for the massive misappropriation of public funds.

The declaration was made on Friday, October 3, 2024, in Ilemela District, Mwanza Region, during a door-to-door campaign led by ADC National Chairman, Mr Shabani Itutu, who is also the party’s parliamentary candidate for the Ilemela Constituency. Mr Itutu argued that corruption remains the root cause of many challenges facing citizens, including persistent medicine shortages in public hospitals.

He noted that over Sh30 trillion has been lost to misuse and wastage, according to damning reports by the Controller and Auditor General (CAG) since 2021. Yet, despite names being disclosed, no legal action has been instituted. “We shall end all theft so that government funds can be used to provide free medical services to citizens.

The CAG has named people implicated, but not one corrupt person has been arrested, while a significant amount remains in the hands of a few,” he said. “That is why ADC insists that if we win the presidency and parliamentary seats, we will arrest all corrupt individuals, imprison them, and recover the stolen money for the direct benefit of Tanzanians,” he added.

The party vowed to ensure that everyone involved in looting public resources would face prompt court action. Mr Itutu stressed that all stolen property would be recovered, even if it had been transferred abroad.

He warned corrupt individuals to prepare to return the stolen money for national development. He further noted that Ilemela suffers serious water shortages, promising that ADC, if elected, would build permanent infrastructure, including storage tanks and robust distribution systems for all wards in the district.

He also pledged to resolve the longstanding land disputes troubling the area. Resident, including Mr Adolph Lwaima, welcomed the door-to-door campaign, stating it allowed voters who cannot attend mass rallies to meet candidates and hear their policies directly.

“For now, I run a shop here. I cannot just leave for a rally unless I hear the news.

But I like this approach; it gives us the chance to listen and see them,” he observed. .

Dar es Salaam. For many families, home is a place of comfort, rest, and unity.

Yet for a growing number of married men, spending long hours indoors has become something they actively avoid. The reason, they say, is simple: when men stay home, the bills rise.

Some men say it feels almost unbelievable that one extra person at home could make such a difference. For them, even small daily routines seem to push expenses higher.

“It’s like one man can turn a small bill into a huge one. When I’m out, life goes on normally.

When I stay home, suddenly the bills go up,” said a ride-hailing driver, Mr Hamisi Ally. For many, it is not only the financial pressure but also the household atmosphere that becomes challenging.

A bank teller, Mr Jackson Mwita, said, “If I stay all day, I argue with my wife over small things, how I sit, how I use the remote, how I talk to the children. It becomes stressful.

” Entrepreneur Hassan Juma said the problem is also about control, “The house is too small for two bosses. I interfere with how my wife runs things or try to discipline the children differently.

That creates clashes. It’s better to give each other space.

” Women, however, insist that men’s complaints are often exaggerated. A secretary and mother of one, Ms Neema John, said, “My husband says bills rise when he stays home, but sometimes it’s because I suggest we go out together.

Sunday trips or lunch outings increase expenses, but isn’t that part of family life?” A mother of three, Ms Fatuma Kweka, added, “When their father is home, the children want outings, treats, and attention. That should not be seen as a problem, just part of parenting.

” Nurse Esther Rudolf argued that men often use bills as an excuse to avoid responsibilities. “We also stretch the budget when he is home, but it’s because we want to do things as a family,” she said, adding that if women avoided home for the same reason, marriages would suffer.

Electrician Neema Mohamed pointed out a communication gap. “He says arguments increase, yet refuses to talk calmly.

Avoiding home doesn’t solve anything,” she explained. Psychologist, Dr Grace Gidion, said financial concerns are only part of the story.

“Men feel pressure from bills, but what they express is also stress about family expectations,” she said, adding that unresolved conflicts amplify anxiety. “When men avoid home, it can create emotional distance.

Even if they are physically elsewhere, women feel abandoned emotionally, which can lead to resentment. They want support and companionship, but the focus on bills overshadows these needs,” she said.

She emphasised that couples must openly discuss financial and emotional responsibilities. “A balanced home is one where both men and women share duties and recognise that emotional presence matters as much as financial contribution,” she said.

While bills may increase when fathers are present, experts say the real cost of staying away is emotional. Couples who learn to navigate both finances and family time find that shared presence strengthens bonds, builds memories, and teaches children the value of togetherness.

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Dodoma. “In my first 100 days as a Member of Parliament, there will be major changes in land matters in Mtumba Constituency.

People will appreciate this because land must be owned legally, not just claimed visually.” This is the promise from the CCM parliamentary candidate for Mtumba Constituency, Mr Anthony Mavunde, made on Saturday, October 4, 2025. He said these changes will happen if voters elect Samia Suluhu Hassan as President, he wins the parliamentary seat, and all 20 wards in the constituency have CCM councillors.

Mtumba Constituency, comprising 20 wards and 101 streets, was created from Dodoma Constituency, which previously had 41 wards and 222 neighbourhoods. Mtumba was named in honour of the Government City, home to ministries and institutions.

The wards forming Mtumba are Msalato, Makutupora, Chihanga, Hombolo Bwawani, Hombolo Makulu, Ipala, Chahwa, Mtumba, Ihumwa, and Nzuguni. Others are Ipagala, K/Ndege, Miyuji, Makole, Viwandani, Tambukareli, Dodoma Makulu, Iyumbu, and Nghong’ona.

The constituency lies in the eastern part of Dodoma City and hosts several key government institutions, including Parliament, the University of Dodoma (UDOM), Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, the Defence Forces Headquarters, and the Msalato International Airport. In an interview on Saturday, October 4, 2025, Mr Mavunde says his vision is driven by concern for the lives of residents and a strong desire to make Mtumba a model constituency for the nation, with improved living conditions.

Regarding representation, he says he served well when the constituency was larger and sees no reason he should lose now that it is smaller, promising committed service to the people and effectively addressing their problems. He calls on voters to start on October 29, 2025, by supporting President Hassan for the presidency, saying she has led positive developments in Dodoma and will drive further progress in Mtumba.

Land sector Mr Mavunde describes the land sector as a major challenge for residents but says he has never been silent on it and will not remain so. He says he has worked to reduce past disputes, noting that land allocation was a major problem.

His solution includes relocating land officers closer to residents, a project already underway in some areas with disputes. Education sector He pledges to continue what has been started by building more primary and secondary schools, ensuring children have closer access to education.

He promises to purchase photocopy machines to relieve parents and guardians of weekly contributions on Saturdays, which have become a burden. He also promises to install model student seating in schools, facilities not yet found anywhere else in Tanzania.

Health sector Mtumba has four health centres, but Mr Mavunde says more are needed to bring services closer to residents. At the long-standing Makole Health Centre, he says multi-storey buildings will be constructed to expand and upgrade the facility.

He promises to accelerate the building of dispensaries where needed and to improve existing ones to meet modern standards. He stresses his contribution to health services, noting that during his five years in Parliament, he deployed doctors to the constituency, offered free eye care, and distributed more than 5,000 spectacles.

Water services Due to Dodoma’s water shortage, Mr Mavunde says he has petitioned the President for a programme to drill wells in the outskirts of the city, a move he says will bring “good changes.” He cites the drilling of wells in Nzuguni A as an example and says water infrastructure is being completed in many areas of Mtumba so residents can soon stop complaining.

He calls on voters to turn out in large numbers for CCM, promising “good things are coming.” He says water distribution will not wait until November, with experts already working to ensure continued benefits under CCM leadership.

Mr Mavunde promises that within five years of his tenure, a vegetable market will be built in Ihumwa Ward to reduce congestion and costs for residents who now travel to the city centre for trade. The market will serve young farmers from Ihumwa, Nzuguni, Mahomanyika, Mahoma Makulu, Hombolo, and Iyumbu, who currently depend on customers in Dar es Salaam.

He also pledges to revitalise Sabasaba Market by demolishing and rebuilding it so traders can operate freely in a modern environment. He says: “When I spoke about demolition, some politicised it.

I say they may dislike me now, but future generations will remember me, Sabasaba Market will be redeveloped, and no one will lose their place during construction.” He cites improvements at Majengo Market, which initially faced criticism but is now appreciated, and highlights successes at Mavunde Market in Chang’ombe, which he initiated and built.

He says Dodoma City Council has set aside Sh7.6 billion for 10 percent loans for youth, women, and persons with disabilities, but warns voters not to take loans carelessly. “Do not rush in and regret it later.

” Mr Mavunde believes in financial literacy, promising to deploy experts to educate residents before loans are given so people can see the benefits without unnecessary hardship. Mr Mavunde emphasises youth sports, promising to develop the “Mavunde Cup” competition, which has unearthed talent, some of whom now play in the Premier League and First Division.

He says the reduced size of the constituency will allow better competitions, giving more opportunities to young people. Why Samia? He lists five key achievements under the leadership of CCM’s presidential candidate, Samia Suluhu Hassan, who is completing her term: the construction of Msalato International Airport, the ring road, health centres and Nala District Hospital, water projects, and infrastructure improvements in the city centre.

He says her speed of work gives him confidence that within five years, Mtumba and Tanzania will make great progress. Tears in public When asked how he felt on May 15, 2025, when the constituency was divided, he recalled the emotional farewell of residents, saying it was difficult to speak openly while seeing people cry, a moment that moved him to tears.

Nonetheless, Mr Mavunde promises to be a good representative and to cooperate with whoever wins the Dodoma Constituency. He also asks voters to choose the CCM parliamentary candidate and councillors.

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