The baseline survey was conducted at Kilimanjaro region whereby four districts (Moshi rural,
Siha, Hai and Rombo) were sampled. The overall aim of this survey was to establish the baseline
for Gender, Human Rights, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and the timely access of rights by
marginalized women in courts in Kilimanjaro. Meanwhile the study focused on analysing
lobbying and advocacy practice on human rights among women and children, Identification of
sources of information on gender and human rights in the study area, assessment of duty
bearers on gender and human rights service provision, assessment of the sexual reproductive
health rights among school girls, assess accessibility of paralegal advice and consultancy among
vulnerable groups, and exploration of timely accessibility to rights in courts among marginalised
women and children.
A cross-sectional research design was adopted to enable data to be collected from different
sources including community members (women) and youth (school girls’ dropout due to
pregnancy), school teachers, students, court officials and local government officials. A total of
266 respondents were involved whereas, 111 community members were randomly selected and
136 students were selected from secondary schools. Further selection was done on the 19 key
informants who included court officials, human rights activists, school teachers, local
government officials and health officers.
Findings on lobbying and advocacy revealed that there is little knowledge or awareness with
regards to oppressive law among women and children in the study area. Majority of the
respondents perceived that police, health workers and the governmental village leaders had
average understanding on human rights. Findings also revealed that women are relatively
vulnerable as far as gender and human rights are concerned. The common violated rights to
women were deprivation of widows' rights and resource ownership among women.
There is no clear understanding on the reproductive health among school girls and some
women; there is need for provision of comprehensive knowledge on sexual reproductive health
3
rights among girls and women. Findings further revealed that reconciliation councils, courts
were available at ward levels.
Based on the findings made from this study, recommendations were made to the KWIECO and
other practitioners for further improvement, these includes; substantial efforts should be
deliberated to improve awareness of the human rights pertaining to women and advocate for
fair and equal treatment of women in their respective communities with respect of human rights
conventions.
Publicity through the local media has positively impacted the performance in rendering its
services. It is therefore recommended that KWIECO should further consider using the popular
media in reaching its potential clients to enhance wider coverage and improved knowledge and
awareness of its services within the community.
Legal representation to civil and criminal cases still needs a special attendance especially in the
communities where women are less fortitude in voicing their cases to the legal systems.
Mobilization and advocacy should be implemented along.