UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, has supported the Tanzania Police Force through the establishment of three Police Gender and Children’s Desks in Manyara Region in the districts of Mbulu, Kiteto and Simanjiro to support survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).

Police Gender and Children’s Desks offer survivors of violence and at-risk individuals respectful and confidential care, including legal and psychosocial support, and referral services to appropriate facilities including medical services. For survivors of violence and for those in vulnerable situations, these can be life-saving services.

“The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Tanzania Police Force, and UNFPA have common goals: to advance gender equality, and to support women’s and girls’ right to live free from violence,” said Dr. Majaliwa Marwa, Assistant Representative of UNFPA Tanzania. “The importance of the services of Police Gender and Children’s Desks for GBV survivors cannot be overemphasized.”

The handover ceremony for the Police Gender and Children’s Desks in Simanjiro district was held on Saturday, 17 December. Guest of Honor of the handover ceremony was Mr. Charles Makongoro Nyerere, Manyara Regional Commissioner. The handover was attended by Tanzania Police Force members Ms. Maria Nzuki, Chief, Gender and Child Protection; and Ms. Faidha Suleiman Yusuph, National Coordinator of the Police Gender and Children’s Desk.

Financially supported by UNFPA through donor funds, construction work for the three Police Gender and Children’s Desks in Manyara was implemented by an NGO, the Children’s Dignity Forum. The launch events are being implemented by the organization C-Sema.

In addition to the three Police Gender and Children’s Desks in Manyara region, UNFPA has, since 2018,  supported establishment of nine additional Police Gender and Children’s Desks, including three in Mara, three in Kigoma, and three in Zanzibar. Early next year another Desk will be launched in Msalala district, Shinyanga region. UNFPA also supports capacity building of Police Gender Officers and additional police officers, development of reporting systems and guidelines, and additional technical support.

UNFPA financial and technical assistance, in partnership with civil society partners, especially the Children’s Dignity Forum, has supported the establishment of these Desks in mainland Tanzania. UNFPA has also trained over 200 police officers at 22 Police Gender and Children’s Desks across the country to build their capacity to manage GBV cases, and provide survivor-centered care.

In Manyara, awareness-raising radio programmes broadcast in alliance with the Tanzania Police Force are disseminating information regarding services available at the Police Gender and Children’s Desks, on the importance of reporting GBV cases, and on women and children’s rights. Launch events for the Police Gender and Children’s Desks in Kiteto and Mbulu districts are scheduled to take place on 19 December and 22 December, respectively.

For further information, please contact:

Warren Bright, UNFPA Tanzania Communications Analyst, Mobile: +255 764 43 44 45, Email: bwarren@unfpa.org