NATIONAL DIALOGUE DISCUSSES DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN POLITICS AND ELECTIONS IN TANZANIA
The Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF Tanzania), in collaboration with the government and development partners, organized a National Dialogue to discuss the challenges of technology-facilitated violence and other forms of violence against women in politics and elections.
The dialogue, held on October 3, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, brought together representatives from the government, UN agencies, women’s rights activists, lawyers, the media, and civil society organizations. Participants explored strategies to protect women’s safety in political spaces, particularly as the country heads toward the 2025 General Election.
Opening the dialogue, WiLDAF Tanzania’s Executive Director, Advocate Anna Kulaya, emphasized that technology-driven violence is a new threat to democracy, especially when it targets women leaders, candidates, and political activists.
“Ending violence against women in politics and elections is not just a women’s issue it’s about strengthening democracy and protecting the dignity of every citizen,” said Ms. Kulaya.
She added that the dialogue forms part of the preparations
for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign,
whose theme this year is “Protect the Community, End Digital and
Gender-Based Violence.”
Ms. Kulaya expressed gratitude to development partners who supported the event, including UN Women, GIZ, UNDP, UNFPA, and the Embassies of Ireland, Switzerland, and Belgium, for their continued collaboration with WiLDAF in advancing women’s rights.
Speaking on behalf of the government, a representative from the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs acknowledged that while technological advancement has increased transparency and access to information, it has also created new challenges particularly digital violence against women.
“Acts such as hate speech, misinformation, and online harassment damage women’s dignity and undermine the principles of equality,” the official stated.
The representative further noted that in 2024, the government enacted three key laws, including the Election Act, which under Section 135 prohibits gender-based violence and harassment against female candidates.
“We want women to participate in politics without fear. We want peaceful, equal, and respectful elections,” they added.
During the discussion, Sisty L. Nyahoza, Assistant Registrar of Political Parties, stressed the importance of political parties taking a leading role by ensuring their constitutions and policies oppose all forms of gender-based violence.
“Last year (2024), the Political Parties Act was amended by the Parliament of the United Republic of Tanzania, requiring every political party to have a gender policy and a gender desk to address gender-based violence within political parties and the political arena,” said Nyahoza.
He also cautioned that online humiliation discourages many women with political ambitions.
“People post insulting messages, images, and comments on social media to intimidate women and stop them from engaging in politics. This must be collectively condemned and fought against,” he added.
The dialogue carried a strong message advocating for the protection of women’s rights and their safe participation in politics, emphasizing that when women’s voices are silenced, democracy suffers.
“By protecting the dignity of today’s women leaders, we safeguard the democracy of tomorrow,” WiLDAF’s message emphasized.
This National Dialogue marks a new chapter in Tanzania’s national conversation ahead of the 2025 General Election aimed at building a unified strategy to combat digital and gender-based violence and promote a peaceful, inclusive, and equitable electoral environment for all.
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