Voices of Grassroots Women

From

TANZANIA

SPIRIT SOCIETIES

Binti NangujaLeader of Cluster of Spirit Societies

“In spirit societies, women are powerful.

We control spirits. We speak to our

ancestors. Men fear to tread in spirit

societies. We heal with song and dance.

We are women of spirits”

Women with Disabilities in Tanzania

Lupi Mwaisaka Maswanya

Chairperson, Federation of People with Disabilities in Tanzania.

• “We are not dumb. We have different abilities. We have a language. Sign language, is a language”

Women Reclaiming our Space

Ma Sharifa Rashid Nyakanga wa UNYAGO

“Men have invaded sacred

spaces belonging to

women. Spaces like

UNYAGO-Rites de passage.

Though they are not

physically present, their

presence hovers over our

rituals. From being a

sacred space to guide a

girl in transition from child

to woman, UNYAGO has

become training ground for

pleasuring men. We want

back our space”

Albino Women

“We live in fear of getting killed. They (people with superstitious beliefs of witchcraft) kill us and use parts of our bodies in witchcraft rituals. We now move in groups. It gives us some protection. The government protects wildlife, it doesn’t protect albino”

Mwajuma and Rehema.Members of Tanzania Society for Albino

Voices of Women Food Vendors

“We are not Mama

Ntilie-Mother Serve me.

We are Mama Lishe-

Mothers and Nurturers”

Association of Food Vendors.

Sex Workers

“No! I was not a prostitute.

I`m not a reformed prostitute!

I`m a retired Sex Worker but I still provide advice to my

colleagues and once in a while

services to my clients.”

Harriet RetiredCommercial Sex Worker

Rape Survivor

I`m a survivor of rape. I`m a woman living

with HIV. I`m a woman with disabilities.

I`m strongI`m a woman of spirit

I have courage.

ISpecioza Sekela MwamkiniChairperson of Network of

Disabled People Living With HIV/AIDS

TAMAR Women Programme

“We use analogies from the Bible to fight rape of women. Our programme against rape is called ‘THE TAMAR PROGRAMME’. It has been successful in curbing rape of women in Mbeya Tanzania. Society has understood the analogy because they have read in the Bible that Tamar was raped and she survived”

Voice of Liberated Activists

Subira Kibiga- Chair Person of Feminist Culture Group

“I became a feminist because I refused to be treated like a toy. Yes! It was difficult – breaking the barriers of culture and tradition. But I mobilized other women, organized them, and we formed a MOVEMENT. Now we have a VOICE. We have MUSCLE. We are ‘Wanaharakati Waliokomboka’ – Liberated Activists. That, is being a feminist”