From MUGINI JACOB in Tarime, 27th February 2011 @ 11:00, Total Comments: 0, Hits: 3206
TARIME District authorities have commended a Dar es Salaam-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), Chilren dignity forum (CDF), for its campaigns against child marrigaes and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) here.
''As the government we are impressed with this initiative and we pledge to co-operation with CDF in spreading anti-FGM and education against childhood marriages,'' Tarime District Commissioner (DC) Mr John Henjewele, said here over the weekend.
He was speaking at a function to hand over sewing machines donated by CDF to over 20 girls of Nyamwaga village who are victims of early marriages.
The girls saluted the organisation for the support which they hoped would transform their lives.
This was the second time that CDF empowers victims of early marriages economically in the district in the past few years, the area was also prone to recurrent bloody violence, according to the organisation's Executive Director Mr Koshuma Mtengeti.
''We have sensitized them to establish groups and apart from the sewing machines we are providing them with vitenge and full year rent for their business premises," Mr Mtengeti who was accompanied by the CDF's legal officer Ms Grace Mghamba said.
It is estimated over 500 young girls were voluntary or forcibly circumcised in Tarime, late last year, against the law.
Some girls who refused to be circumcised are reported to have been denied education support by their parents in the neighbouring Serengeti district.
The Tarime DC urged the girls to help in spreading anti- FGM campaign in all public primary and secondary schools in the district.
He also stressed the need for involving early marriages campaign, saying that it can register remarkable success with full participation of men.
The function was also attended by senior community development officers based in the district and local leaders.
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