TAMWA membership growth

From 12 members in 1987, the association has more than100 members today (credit: TAMWA website)

TAMWA again - scoops two awards at the International Women’s Day 2015

The Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) won two awards in recognition of its endless efforts to bring about gender equality and women empowerment in the country.
The awards were presented by Tanzania President Dr. Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete to TAMWA’s Acting Director, Gladness Munuo, as part of International Women’s Day marked every year on March 8 to celebrate the social, political and economic achievements of women while focusing world attention on areas requiring further action to achieve equality for women.

President Kikwete presents an award to TAMWA's Acting Director, Gladness
(photo by Aika Kimaro of TAMWA)  

Nationally, the day was celebrated in Morogoro where TAMWA conducted series of activities such as a presentation on Child Early and Forced Marriage, the provision of legal services and counseling to women, children and gender based violence survivors and engaging the media in publicizing the global event at national level.

The first National Award recognized TAMWA for its outstanding contribution to the awareness raising and prevention of Child Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation.

TAMWA also emerged an overall winner of awards provided in recognition of contributions towards awareness raising on gender equality and women empowerment.
These awards are a result of the advocacy that TAMWA has been doing in collaboration with international partners DANIDA, UNFPA, UN Women and Ford Foundation and with national partners; the Media, the Child Dignity Forum, the Masanga Centre in Tarime, The Tanzania Ending Child Marriage Network (TECMN), and the Anti-FGM Coalition, the ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children and various other stakeholders working against all forms of GBV in Tanzania.

This is the second time within a span of two weeks that TAMWA’s contribution in fighting for gender equality, women empowerment and the rights of the girl child is recognized. On February 24, the High Commission of Canada presented an award to Executive Director of TAMWA, Valerie Msoka to honor her distinguished contribution to the efforts to end child, early and forced marriage in Tanzania.
The Morogoro event, in which President Kikwete was the Guest of Honour, was also attended by  Hon. Sophia Simba, Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children, government officials, politicians, members of the diplomatic corps,  representatives from UN agencies, funds and programmes, Civil Society representatives, the media and the general public especially women and children.