Men deserve credit for reducing GBV, says Mongella
Ambassador Getrude Mongella
What you need to know:
- She acknowledged that many successful women during that time achieved their goals because they were supported by their fathers, husbands, brothers, or uncles—men who held decision-making power in their communities.
Dar es Salaam. The former UN Assistant Secretary-General and Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, Gertrude Mongella, has commended men for their significant role in reducing gender-based violence in Tanzania.
Speaking in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the launch of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign themed ‘Towards 30+ Years of Beijing: Choose to End Gender-Based Violence,’ Ambassador Mongella highlighted the pivotal support men have shown in addressing the issue.
“It is only fair to give men credit because, in a society once dominated by patriarchy, their support was crucial when campaigns against violence towards women were first introduced,” she said.
She acknowledged that many successful women during that time achieved their goals because they were supported by their fathers, husbands, brothers, or uncles—men who held decision-making power in their communities.
She also pointed out that improvements in legal and policy frameworks are largely influenced by men, as they still occupy the majority of leadership positions and seats in Parliament, where laws are made.
“This means that without their willingness to support these changes, we would not have made the progress we see today,” she added.
