TANZANIA: NYAMAGANA GENDER AND CHILDREN DESK RECEIVES A DELEGATION FROM NORWAY

Yaliyomo humu (Habari, Matangazo na Maoni) si msimamo wa BMG Media. Mawasiliano +255 757 432 694 ama ripotabmg@gmail.com

The Gender and Children Desk of Nyamagana District, Mwanza Region, on 10 February 2026 received a delegation from Norway in collaboration with their local host organization, KIVULINI, with the aim of learning and observing the implementation of various projects carried out by the organization.

The delegation comprised members of the Executive Committee from the organizations FO Innlandet and FOKUS, together with a representative of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Tanzania, Ms. Annette Pettersen.

These organizations are among the main donors supporting projects aimed at eliminating gender-based violence implemented by KIVULINI.

Speaking during the visit, the Head of the Delegation, Ole Henrik Krakenes from FO, stated that they were pleased and satisfied with the level of cooperation between the Tanzania Police Force in Mwanza Region and KIVULINI, an organization engaged in preventing violence against women and children.

After visiting the Nyamagana District Gender and Children Desk, Ole Krakenes said that his organization had learned a great deal about the work being carried out by KIVULINI in collaboration with its partners, adding that there are many similarities between Norway and Tanzania in addressing issues of violence against women and children.

“These issues involve stigma, shame, privacy, and societal attitudes. We see the importance of working closely with communities and strengthening cooperation between security organs and the public” said Krakenes.

He further commended the good work being done by KIVULINI in collaboration with the Police Force, noting that such cooperation is the right direction for the well-being of future generations.

“We believe it is important to support organizations that are doing the right work in order to increase awareness and knowledge about the impacts of domestic violence and violence against women and children” he added.

On her part, Mildrid Mikkelsen stated that they had come to Tanzania with the aim of learning more about the existing cooperation between KIVULINI and various stakeholders, including the Police Force, in preventing and controlling acts of violence against women and children.

“I am very pleased with what I have learned today, particularly the importance of capacity building and collaboration that enable more women to report incidents of violence to the police” she said.

She added that they were impressed by the manner in which the Police Force closely follows up on such cases while taking into account the condition and needs of the victims.

Speaking on behalf of the Regional Police Commander of Mwanza Region, the Officer Commanding Nyamagana District, SSP Virginia Sodoka, said that over a period of three years, the Tanzania Police Force in Mwanza Region, in collaboration with citizens and non-governmental organizations, including KIVULINI, has succeeded in reducing incidents of gender-based violence by 23 percent.

She explained that these achievements have resulted from joint efforts, including strengthening the Gender and Children Desk, providing community education, improving reporting systems for victims, and engaging local government leaders.

“I commend KIVULINI for continuing to collaborate with the Gender and Children Desk by pooling joint efforts in addressing issues of gender-based violence with professionalism, compassion, and with due regard for the rights of victims” said SSP Sodoka.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of KIVULINI, Yassin Ally, presented a report on various activities implemented by the organization in Mwanza Region, outlining the ongoing efforts to prevent and combat acts of gender-based violence within the community.