THE JOY OF MENTORING

Introduction:

The Tanzania Media Foundation’s 2015-2018 strategic plan, centres on Strengthening Media for Accountability, of which two of its basic objectives are concerned with increasing the professional capacity of media organisations and stakeholders as well as the quality and diversity of investigative and public interest journalism products in the media sector.

As part of its commitment to transparency and impartiality, creativity and innovation, quality and learning, TMF has a mentoring programme which gives people the opportunity to share their professional and personal skills and experiences and to grow and develop in the process. It is a relationship based on encouragement, mutual trust, respect and a willingness to learn and share. The overall objective is to link TMF grantees to media experts/specialists so that the latter group can pass on their knowledge, skills and competences to the former group.

It is under this commitment that UNESCO and TMF commissioned me to represent them in mentoring local radio staff to help them increase the professional capacity as well as the quality, quantity and diversity of investigative and public interest journalism products.

Under the mentorship programme, UNESCO/TMF assigned me to mentor on its behalf FIVE community radios. Three in Zanzibar -Mtegani FM, Tumbatu FM Radio in Tumbatu Island and Zenj FM and two in Pemba -Mkoani FM radio in the North, Micheweni FM radio in the South.

It was a learning experience for both the staff at the radio stations and myself. I wrote down some of my experiences to give an overview of the situation on the ground - with a light touch.

Mtegani FM:

I arrive and take off my shoes. By now I have realised that in FM stations you work barefoot. I enter and find all the staff seated on the floor and a lonely chair has been placed there for me. Because I need to create rapport, communicate and engage, I decline the chair and sit on the floor.

The introductions start. There are ten people, each speaking at length and at a pace that makes me want to tell them to edit themselves but dare not as this is bonding stage. When anyone expounds the advantages of sitting on the floor, please consider the age factor and the length of time in doing so because by the time it is my turn to introduce myself, my back is screaming. So I push myself up on my knees but the floor is too hard and am forced to sit down again but instead of stretching my legs as before, I pull them and wrap my arms around my knees and inform who I am and why I am there. My request for questions yields no responses and so I get into Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance. The silence and blank faces do not deter me and I move on to ask what they know about programme making and formats. Again I draw a blank. This means an energizer is needed so I ask them to stand up and I inform them we will be travelling to different destinations with an item. For example, I give Rose letter M. She will say I’m travelling to Malawi and I will be carrying Mangoes, etc.

I ask a staff member to start me off with a letter and he says F. So I say I will travel to Finland and carry Fanta. I point to anotherand I tell him M. He says Mombasa, I say you need to name a country, he says Mogadishu, I say country, he says Morogoro. We are now laughing. So I give him Mali and ask him what he will travel with and he says, ‘aah basi nitachukua Mali zangu nisafiri nazo’. We laugh and we sit.

I go back to producing a magazine. And one informs me, ‘ticha hiyo mbona unatuacha yaani majadiliano, nyimbo na eti sauti za gari au pikipiki yote pamoja, ticha hebu anza tena’. I look at the expectant faces and Haleeeeluya! I get inspired and ask them whether they like Pilau. I get nods and grins. And so I ask what ingredients are needed and the replies come in fast, ‘mchele, maji, viungo, mbatata, saumu, vitunguu maji’. I ask whether we put all these in one go and with heads shaking one informs me that, ‘unaanza kwa kutayarisha mahitaji yako halafu ndo unaanza kupika na kuweka kimoja na kingine hadi vyote, mwisho mchele na unamalizia na maji kwa kipimo.’ Great I say, and that is what a radio magazine is, you choose a topic, you plan how you will do it and what you will put in it one after the other with your script leading the way until you have it all together, enjoyable to your listeners as it was to you in the preparation. And one says it all, ‘kwa hiyo ticha, unaa maana makala yako unaweka vikoromebwezo, yaani unaifanya tamu kama pilau.’

They’ve got, that’s what I’d like to believe. I dare not think whether they’ll do it. 

Mkoani FM:

Arriving at the radio station was a relief after being in a car for an hour and a half. And because the chairman of the radio station’s governing board had heard me during my broadcasting days he had told the staff that I’m a well-known radio personality and they should all be present to welcome me.  What a pleasant surprise. The rest was not.

The introductions over and into Transparancy Accountability and Good Governance and, ‘ticha samahani, hapo juu sana, shuka kidogo’.I think I’m being asked to lower the presentation only to be corrected, ‘hiyooo uwazi, uwajibikaji na utawala bora, hebuu tuelezee tena ni vipii’ I get it, they don’t have a clue. I take as a example their radio station and how it will work better if these three are taken into account and then move to the bigger picture to relate to issues of the provision of health services, education, their environment and gender equality.Then, ‘yaaani tuangalie vitu vinavyofanyika na tutangaze ili watu waandamane kama haviendi sawa’ Not like that but nearly there.  But before I go further, the chair, who is a retired teacher, stands up to explain - try training with the Chair of the governing board asking most of the questions and constantly intervening. I was patient and the fact he was there every day, means no one should ever say I’m impatient.

I ask for the ladies. As I’m about to put on my shoes I’m informed that I will find sandals in the toilet. I’m directed to a door that has a piece of cloth as its handle. Untying the cloth I walk into this dark room and see the sandals just at the door. I put on these blue-brown sandals, the brown denoting the accumulated dust while blue is the original colour. I avoid thinking of who has worn them and hitch my dress and go backwards to a hole. Holes belonged to my village days – I’ve been proved wrong. I manage to position myself and I go down, oooh my knees – cursing is bad and so instead I call out to UNESCO and TMF. I finally slowly stand up with my knees cracking ...oooh!. I go out, latch back the door and head for my water bottle. As I wash my hands I know I won’t drink the water as it will remind me of that place and also make me go there again. Once is enough.

I return to the room and before going in to the next session ask them to stand up for an energizer. I ask them to mention four regions in the mainland. With confusions of the regions and towns we finally get Dodoma, Arusha, Mwanza and Dar es Salaam. So I go showing, head, shoulders, knees and toes and tell them these will correspond with Dodoma, Arusha, Mwanza and Dar es Salaam. I tell them that one of the traits of a good journalist is listening. I get nods and the smiles. I start off with Dar es Salaam and they all put their hands on their head, because I had done so, I tell them they should listen because Dar es Salaam corresponded with their toes. They laugh and I go in the right order and touch my toes and say Dodoma. Few bend some are undecided, none get it right. We laugh and sit for the next session – Investigative Journalism. ‘Ehe ticha, ndio habari za uchokonozi sio?’ asks one

Great! Understanding at the first go - things can only get better. The key is to be Optimistic.

Tumbatu FM:

I walk into the sea to get into the boat.  My height is such that before I even reach the boat I am wet. I mean wet….wet into my body parts. By the time I enter the boat I’m dripping wet. I sit and get out my lemon. I’m allergic to movement while on the sea and I’ve been authoritatively informed that squeezing the lemon and smelling it will keep my food in its place. After thirty nerve wrecking minutes with the lemon stuck to my nose I cross over to the other side. And there again, I get into the sea and get wetter. I put my lemon back for the return journey and sit down to put on my shoes. I head inland and people are looking at me. Surely, I think, they can’t believe I have peed myself,afterall I’m wet up to my waist. I reach the district office and meet my mentees. What a way to introduce oneself, but hey, I am there and so let us begin, at least the dripping had stopped.

We get into class and we get started. We introduce ourselves. But the salt….it is disturbing. It is in areas that should not be having salt and so I get creative. I sit and stand and walk about talking about journalism and their role. But I get no relief. I then ask for the ladies, and in there I find no water. I go out to ask for water and am told there is no water on that day. I was once told if you ignore pain it goes away. I did that and continued with Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance. I then ask them to stand up and so as to shake my body and stop the itching, I ask them to repeat after me, ‘ I have a ball, I put it here, I pepeta’ and I urge them to pepeta. They enjoy that but it has not helped me. I ask them to sit.

I go into Investigative Journalism and there I got into my creativity mode again – walking, sitting and standing. Walking round, I engage and encourage them to be curious, to know what is happening around them and in the world, for example, which great leader has died over the weekend? And I get blank faces, I say, think. And finally someone says, ‘kuna yule babu mwenye madevu kafaaa’  andI ask what is his name and where has that happened and the answer is, ‘aaah hilo sijui lakini wamtaja saana’.  I’m supposed to be patient and as I was thinking how much of that one needs, the electricity takes a break and I’m told, ‘ndio haurudi tena mpaka saa kumi na mbili.’

There is a God. I pack, and then I remember, I have to get into the sea to return.

Tumbatu FM.           

The Resistance Memorial of Sao Paulo

A space to remember those who resisted abuse and repression as well as being one to inspire the new generation to value solidarity, democratic principles and the respect for differences – This is  the Resistance Memorial in Sao Paulo. Walking through it you get the anger, sadness and depression that people can be so tortured but then as you watch the curators talk the students through the history of the place, you get hope that these students will ensure there is no repetition of the old.

The Memorial, housed at the former offices of the Department of Social and Political Order of São Paulo State (DEOPS/SP), one of the most gruesome political police forces in the country during the military regime, is dedicated to the memory of the resistance and repression that took place in Brazil at the hands of the DEIPS/SP. Going through the cells of the Memorial one goes through the incarceration room, through one that has masks depicting the thousands of prisoners, the disappeared and deceased from the operations of the DEOPS/SP. Another cell presents signatures and reenactment of memories by former political prisoners while the last has a stool and a bottle holding a flower, a sign of solidarity and hope to the prisoners by the people outside. 

The Building and the entrance to the cells

Masks depicting the thousands of prisoners, the disappeared and deceased   from the operations of the DEOPS/SP  

                        

The entrance with the pictures    

                          

Signatures and reenactment of memories by former political prisoners

            A sign of solidarity and hope to the prisoners by the people outside

                                                                                                                                    

As part of the activities of the 15 Colloquium on Human Rights that took place in Sao Paulo from the 1^st to the 6^th October, 2017, visiting the memorial and listening to the history of resistance and detentions makes you recognize and appreciate the fact that abuses against human rights come in many forms and at all social levels and that we of today are continuing a fight started way back. While The Memorial reminds one of what happened, the 15 Colloquium was an opportunity to energize us to stand-up against any form of oppression in our own social, political, and cultural spheres.

The 15th International Human Rights Colloquium served as a space to rethink the strategies adopted by the human rights movement and to increase the participation of activists from other movements in an effort to diversify the alliances of the movement. The 15th Colloquium was organized by Forum Asia (Thailand), the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria (South Africa), Dejusticia (Colombia), and Conectas Human Rights (Brazil). The Colloquium is one of the most expected human rights events of the world and its main objective is to promote the integration and exchange among human rights activists from the Global South through the socialization of knowledge and practices that are capable of advancing the human rights agenda. 

15º Colóquio Internacional de Direitos Humanos 2017

Privileged to be attending the 15th International Human Rights Colloquium in São Paulo, Brazil where Activists from different movements and agents of social transformation are gathered for a collective reflection of their role in the current global trend which threatens rights and freedoms. For more information on the 15th International Human Rights Colloquium, please visit colóquio.conectas.org

African Rising - Important Links

African Rising's Activists in Residence 

Our Dollar 

Not Yet there in gender equality 

African Rising

The Kilimanjaro Declaration

The Kilimanjaro Declaration

The History

We, the citizens and descendants of Africa, as part of the Africans Rising Movement, are outraged by the centuries of oppression; we condemn the plunder of our natural and mineral resources and the suppression of our fundamental human rights.

We are determined to foster an Africa-wide solidarity and unity of purpose of the Peoples of Africa to build the Future we want – a right to peace, social inclusion and shared prosperity.

On 23-24 August 2016, two hundred and seventy two representatives from civil society, trade unions, women, young people, men, people living with disabilities, parliamentarians, media organisations and faith-based groups, from across Africa and the African diaspora gathered in Arusha, Tanzania and committed to build a pan-African movement that recognises these rights and freedoms of our People.

THE CONFERENCE DECLARED THAT:

1. Africa is a rich continent. That wealth belongs to all our People, not to a narrow political and economic elite. We need to fight for economic development that is just and embraces social inclusion and environmental care. We have a right to the ‘better life’ our governments have promised.
2. Africans have a diverse, rich and powerful heritage that is important to heal ourselves and repair the damage done by neoliberalism to our humanity and environment.  Being African, embracing the philosophy of Ubuntu should be a source of our pride.
3. African Youth are a critical foundation of building the success in our continent and must play a central role in building Africans Rising.
4. Africa’s Diaspora whether displaced through slavery and colonialism or part of modern day migration are part of Africa’s history and future. They are a reservoir of skills, resources and passion that must be harnessed and integrated into our movement.
5. We are committed to a decentralised, citizen-owned future that will build support and solidarity for local struggles, empower local leadership and immerse our activists in grassroots work of building social movements from below and beyond borders.
6. We are committed to building a citizens movement that is accountable to the constituencies we represent and enforcing the highest standards of ethical behaviour.

THEREFORE, WE RESOLVE THAT OUR WORK SHOULD BUILD A LOCAL, NATIONAL, CONTINENTAL AND GLOBAL CAMPAIGN THAT IS:

1. Expanding space for civic and political action.
2. Fighting for women’s rights and freedoms across society.
3. Focusing our struggles on the right to Equity and Dignity.
4. Demanding good governance as we fight corruption and impunity.
5. Demanding climate and environmental justice

CALL ON OUR PEOPLE AND ACTIVISTS TO:

Join this African Rising Movement and mobilise our people around this shared vision; organise and connect local struggles under this umbrella; galvanise solidarity with all African struggles. This movement is committed to peace and non-violent action. We assert our inherent rights as Africans and invite our governments, leaders, other stakeholders and institutions to join us in pursuing the Future We Want to leave our future generations.

To join the movement, go to:  www.africans-rising.org

ACTIVISTS IN RESIDENCE

Activists from ten African countries are meeting in Arusha in a pilot initiative of Africans Rising and the Training Centre for Development Cooperation (TCDC) with support from the Fund for Global Human Rights (FGHR) to create space for documentation by Activists, of their experiences and lessons learned. 

The one month programme will benefit the activists in residence (AiR) through their interaction, deepen the understanding of their local struggles using other Activists’ lenses as well as inspire them to identify ways of further strengthening their movements.

Activists will also have an opportunity for skills acquisition, be encouraged to transfer such skills in their countries – using social media platforms and other appropriate means and have a rare opportunity for rest and recuperation, especially for those who have faced repression or those who have given years of dedicated service and might be on the verge of burnout.  

Participants of the programme who come from Morocco, Liberia, Senegal, DRCongo, UK, Benin, Burundi, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, will also benefit from discussions with well known African figures such as Jay Naidoo, former  General Secretary of the Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) and a Minister in President Mandela’s term of office and Mshai Mwangola, a Kenyan 'orator', actor, director and storyteller whose work draws on performance traditions.

Africans Rising is a nascent, rapidly growing, self-identifying collective of social movements, NGOs, peoples and popular social justice efforts, intellectuals, artists, sports people, cultural activists and others, across the continent and Diaspora.  People who have given input to the development of the movement agree that African unity reflected by greater social, political and economic integration is critical for Africa and its peoples, nations and nationalities – a united civil society should be the vanguard of such a movement for justice, peace and dignity.

 Activists with Jay Naidoo (3^rd from left) and holding signed copies of his new book Change.

African Women - Changing the Narrative "Our Story"

Valerie Msoka, a journalist and an advocate for gender equality, spoke to journalists from 15 African countries who gathered in Dar es Salaam for a training to promote the usage gender-sensitive language, lexicon and reporting in everyday stories about women and gender equality, with an aim to change how African women are portrayed in mainstream media, with a long-term objective of changing the narrative around women.

The case was such that women in the media houses were sidelined, if one happened to write a story that hit the front page, the byline would be by Staff Reporter, the case was such that when my sister Edda Sanga started reading the news, people rumbled that Radio Tanzania was not serious. But it was not only the case of women in the newsrooms it was the stories about women were out of order. First there were not there, when they were, they were in the middle pages and to compound it, they had to be negative ones such as a rape and the story would have a condemning tone, as if to say it was the woman’s fault. In fact according to the recent Global Media Monitoring Project (GMMP), overall, women remain more than twice as likely as men to be portrayed as victims as they were a decade ago, at 16 and eight percent respectively. 

It was this situation in the newsrooms and the portrayal of women in the media that brought us twelve women from print and broadcast to form the Tanzania Media Women’s Association in 1987. We wanted to change that scenario but through the process bring about social transformation towards a society that respects and practices gender equality in every sphere.

The case is such that in the news it is men who speak, and they are the majority in the news rooms and in senior management. This was then and is still the case. And this is why we are here – to change the narrative. And there is an urgent need to do so because women’s exclusion in any process makes it unrealistic. Creating a balance of the voices and stories not only helps build readership, listenership or viewers but also the overall impact. Creating that balance are you journalists as change agents.

And in this you need to start with understanding the whole concept of gender, international frameworks, declarations, protocols and actions relevant to human rights, women’s rights. When you understand this you will then understand that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men need to be taken into consideration, recognizing the diversity of different groups of women and men and that Equality does not mean that women and men will become the same but that women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Through that understanding you will see why there is a need for journalists to have the ability to recognize gender issues, especially women’s different perceptions and interests arising from their unique social location and their gender roles.

Unfairness and inequality in the way you cover stories is very much a reflection of the inequalities and injustices in the societies we live in and of political, social and economic landscapes we work in.  It is thus up to you to understand and adopt Gender-Responsive Reporting Principles in print, broadcast, online media and photography, following international guidelines for ethical journalism.

For you to accurately mirror our societies, to produce coverage that is complete and diverse, it is critical that the news reflects the world as seen through the eyes of women as well as men. Gender-sensitive journalism is not only about things like sources and context.  It’s also about the language we use in writing our stories or making programmes. To be truly equal, women must be seen and heard to be equal.  This means eliminating language that misrepresents, excludes or offends women. 

No doubt you will say finding angles is an issue, but there is data to prove that just as in other stories, features, programmes, blogs and tweets you need to be creative. For example, data from TAMWA shows that for the period of September 2013 to December 2013, a total of 84 feature and stories on women issues in the constitution review process were published in various news papers to create awareness to and call for action from policy makers to change the outdated and discriminatory laws on women and children. Again in 2016 from from January to this November, there were 248 of stories on Child Marriage in the NEWSPAPERS only. Through these stories, features, blogs, tweets, Ending Child Marriage is now on the agenda. You need to understand that  gender sensitive journalists is not about covering ‘women’s issues’, it is about making sure that content, representation, context, is balanced and respects the diversity that represents nearly 50% of the world’s population.

The UN Women Executive Director, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, says that to achieve gender equality we need to mobilize not just parliaments but populations, not only civil society but all society. I believe that at the heart of the whole mobilization process are the journalists. As journalists we are obliged to ensure that gender equality is achieved. This is because through your stories’ features, programmes, blogs and photographs you will help form our social values and be powerful advocates for the elimination of violence against women and in the promotion of gender equality.

Journalists are agents of change and are duty bound to change the narrative around women and girl’s issues in the media. Do it.

Well Done Rebecca Gyumi and the whole team of Msichana Initiative

Well Done Rebecca Gyumi and the whole team of Msichana Initiative for marking one year of the 2016 Court Ruling against the LMA 1977 with an impressive gathering of young girls to discuss issues that concern them. Hongereni sana.

150 years of Canada's Confederation

In celebrating 150 years of Canada's confederation, the high commissioner of Canada in Tanzania presented Valerie Msoka with a token of recognition for her advocacy efforts towards eradicating child early and forced marriage (CEFM) in Tanzania. Valerie is also Canada's CEFM Champion in Tanzania. Also recognized were Vicky Ntetema for her work with people with Albanism and the Minister of Health, Gender, Children and the Elderly, Hon Ummy Mwalimu, for her contribution towards accessibility of health services to all and her fight for gender equality.

Valerie Msoka (right) - Canada's CEFM Champion in Tanzania.

Joint Statement by a coalition of civil society organisations

on re-entry to school for girls after they have given birth

We, a coalition of civil society organisations in Tanzania, cannot remain silent on the issue of re-entry to school for young girls who become pregnant while they are students. Our motivation is the girls themselves, their quality of life and the opportunities they have to progress. Women and girls make up 51% of the population so the question of what happens to them and their children is one that affects all of us. We also recognise the disproportionate effect that women have on the communities around them - educating young girls brings economic and social benefits to the whole country.

We further recognise that young girls in the country face numerous challenges in education including the distance to school, the facilities available for them and the lack of a supportive environment at home. All of these and others contribute to young girls failing to complete their education.

We, as representatives of civil society but also as parents, citizens and community members, are speaking out to defend the country’s young girls, and we ask the Government to listen.

What the people say
Tanzanians want a re-entry policy. A large majority of citizens (71%) are in favour of girls being allowed to continue with their education. SautizaWananchi (2016) found that 62% think girls should be allowed back into their original school after giving birth, 7% think they should continue education while pregnant and 2% think they should go back to study in another school. Why do public views matter? Because these taxpayers are paying for the public education.

What officials, promises and policies say
High-ranking government officials from the ministries of health and education publicly committed the government to introducing policy guidelines on this issue. Even the 2015 elections manifesto of the ruling Chama cha Mapinduzi party pledges to allow pregnant schoolgirls to continue with their studies. The Education and Training Policy (2014) also makes reference to removing barriers to schooling.

What the laws say
The laws of the United Republic of Tanzania clearly define a child as a person under the age of 18, with no exceptions. Children in Tanzania are guaranteed the right to education by the Constitution and the Education and Training Policy (2014), among others. The rights and protections offered to children, including the right to education, therefore must be available to all those under this age, regardless of parental status. The law is unequivocal on this issue.

What the girls say
Young girls who become pregnant while in school are neither immoral nor criminal. Young mothers are disproportionately from rural areas, poorer households and are likely to be uneducated. According to our own laws they are victims of the crime of rape, just by the fact of being under 18. Research shows that 3 out of 10 young girls report that they were unwilling participants in their first sexual experience (UNICEF, CDC and MUHAS, 2009). More than half of those who experience sexual violence in childhood report that the perpetrator is someone with power over them, a neighbor (32%), an authority figure (15%) or a relative (7%). Young girls also face more challenges in accessing education than young boys even without the question of expulsion for pregnancy. Most of these young girls have already suffered, denying them the right to continue with their education adds to their hardship.

What the community gains
Educated mothers bring benefits to all of society. They are more likely to give birth in health facilities and with the support of a skilled birth attendant than their peers with no education. This could play a significant role in reducing the burden of infant and maternal mortality. Children whose mothers are educated also show better learning outcomes than children whose mothers have no education.

On the other hand, failing to educate young women and girls can bring negative consequences. Uneducated mothers have more difficulties in raising their children - financially, emotionally and physically. They are less likely to be able to find jobs meaning they will come to depend on the government or their community. And their children are also less likely to be able to succeed in life to their full potential.

What our neighbours say
Neighbouring countries like Kenya have re-entry policies – we can learn from their experiences. In Zanzibar, since 2010 girls have been allowed back into school after giving birth as a strategy for reducing the number of dropouts. In these countries that offer girls the option to return to school, there is absolutely no evidence of an increase in student pregnancies as a result of young mothers being in school. In Zanzibar, the rate of adolescent pregnancies is 8%, much lower than on the Mainland where it is 27% (Tanzania Health and Demographic Survey 2015-6).

What we say
We know that the fifth phase government is deeply committed to development of the nation, and that they care especially about those who are poor and vulnerable. We know that this government will not rest even if there is one girl who remains uneducated. So, we request the government to look into this matter further and recommend the best way forward.

We also request that the public and policy debate about this issue be allowed to continue. Researchers, media, civil society organisations, citizens, religious leaders and others all have inputs to provide on this question. Their views and wisdom should be considered. Matters of public interest require public debate to find the best way forward for all.

Supported by:
1. Kituo cha SherianaHakizaBinadamu (LHRC)
2. HakiElimu
3. MtandaowaJinsia Tanzania (TGNP)
4. Msichana Initiative
5. Tanzania Education Network / MtandaowaElimu Tanzania (TENMET)
6. Twaweza
7. Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA)
8. Child Dignity Forum (CDF)
9. WATED
10. East Africa Law Society
11. Engender Health
12. Young Strong Mothers Foundation (YSMF)
13. TAMASHA
14. AGAPE AIDS CONTROL PROGRAMME
15. C-SEMA
16. AFRIYAN
17. YAM – UMATI
18. Centre Against Gender Based Violence
19. Youth for Change – Tanzania
20. Tanzania Peace, Legal Aid and Justice Centre (PLAJC)
21. Caucaus for Children’s Rights (CRC)
22. Hope Riser Organisation
23. New Hope New Winners Foundation (NHWF)
24. Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA)
25. Tanzania Human Rights Defenders’ Coalition (50 members)

60 years of BBC Swahili Service

Valerie Msoka presenting BBC Swahili news today 27 June 2017 as part of the celebrations to mark 60 years of the Swahili Service. Valerie worked as a producer with the BBC for a number of years and among her notable series was Children in Conflict areas.

Day of the African Child 2017

Making Choices

By Valerie N.Msoka

In Tanzania we say, “Kupanga ni Kuchagua”, that is to say planning involves making choices. As we celebrate the Day of the African Child, let the case be that Tanzania chooses to plan for her children TODAY so thatTomorrow they will have reached their potential and serve her well, hopefully.

With excerpts from the Concept Note for DAC 2017 of African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 

Note: Read this in full on articles menu above.

MTANDAO WA KUTOKOMEZA NDOA ZA UTOTONI WATOA TAMKAO KWA WABUNGE WANAOPINGA MABINTI WALIOPEWA MIMBA WASIRUDI MASHULENI

Mtandao wa kutokomeza ndoa za utotoni Tanzania ‘TECMN’ umesikitishwa na kitendo cha baadhi ya Wabunge wa Bunge la Jamhuri ya Muungano wa Tanzania kuunga mkono hoja ya kutowapa nafasi ya kuendelea na masomo wanafunzi wa kike waliopata ujauzito wakiwa shuleni baada ya kujifungua.

Mwenyekiti wa TECMN, Valerie Msoka amesema kitendo kilichofanywa na Wabunge kinarudisha nyuma jitihada mbalimbali zinazofanywa katika kuleta usawa wa kijinsia na kumuinua mwanamke kijamii, kisiasa na kiuchumi.

Aidha, ameongeza kuwa sababu mbalimbali zilizotolewa na Wabunge ni za kisiasa zaidi kwa kuwa hazizingatii ustawi wa mtoto wa kike na mustakabali wa maisha yake akisema Wabunge walioshabikia hoja hiyo wamedhihirisha kutotambua viini vya matatizo yaliyomokatika jamii.

Mwenyekiti wa mtandao wa kutokomeza ndoa za utotoni Tanzania(TECMN) Valerie N. Msoka akiongea na waandishi wa habari leo mapema jijini dar es salaam kushoto ni mkurugenzi mtendaji wa TAMWA Bi. Edda Sanga.

International Women’s Day 2017: A message by Valerie  Ndeneingo-Sia Msoka

Hongereni Wanawake.We have achievements to be proud of  and know there are still challenges we need to overcome towards gender equality in all spheres. Challenges are opportunities for change of tactic while the goal remains the same - zero tolerance on gender based violence including Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, an end to outdated and discriminatory laws, cultures and traditions as well as gender inequality.

Chama cha Wanahabari Wanawake (TAMWA) leo kimezindua mradi mpya unaofadhiliwa na Sourthen African AIDS Trust (SAT) unaolenga kukomesha ongezeko la vitendo vya ubakaji na ulawiti katika wilaya ya Kinondoni na Temeke mkoani Dar es salaam.

Mradi huo umezinduliwa na Mkurugenzi mtendaji wa TAMWA Bi Edda Sanga katika Hoteli ya Elegancy iliyopo Sinza Mori Dar es salaam.

Mwezeshaji katika uzinduzi wa mradi huo ni Bi Valerie Msoka ambaye pia ni Mwenyekiti wa Mtandao wa mashirika yanayopinga ndoa za utotoni(TECMN).

Parliamentarians Commit to Push for Amendment of the Law of Marriage Act 1971‘’SAUTI MOJA’’ (One Voice)

The  meeting namely ‘’SAUTI MOJA’’ (One Voice).  This is an important milestone for the Network to mobilize political will and commitment from Parliamentarians as the key players in ending child marriage, and thus they can lead the development of relevant legislation and policies. The  meeting namely ‘’SAUTI MOJA’’ (One Voice).  This is an important milestone for the Network to mobilize political will and commitment from Parliamentarians as the key players in ending child marriage, and thus they can lead the development of relevant legislation and policies.

VALERIE NDENEINGO-SIA MSOKA -  Current Chairperson of TECMN

As results-driven Human Rights advocate for Women and Children, and a veteran journalist, Valerie N Msoka is the current chairperson of the Tanzania Ending Child Marriage Network (TECMN).