The Maasai Families in Longido District allegedly use baptism ceremonies to conceal FGM practices

<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Sf7ENkcUsn8-D3_KqiDAf5SZT0v4L7-lLUZJIyrh7fLHd3Raz2goVFdUb06BHUg_aan4j0DXvZfCHj_oa7XdKHqFFqoM2cMIa69OW7JKfWtSLv2O5MQY8qfSK2o94hK9ZYv5XSqw-BW5F463SQ1NX66T9VZ0hc1E-QcfpiI0wSnY2YysThZcSEuNaco/s1280/20240917_210247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Sf7ENkcUsn8-D3_KqiDAf5SZT0v4L7-lLUZJIyrh7fLHd3Raz2goVFdUb06BHUg_aan4j0DXvZfCHj_oa7XdKHqFFqoM2cMIa69OW7JKfWtSLv2O5MQY8qfSK2o94hK9ZYv5XSqw-BW5F463SQ1NX66T9VZ0hc1E-QcfpiI0wSnY2YysThZcSEuNaco/w640-h640/20240917_210247.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8R4Y1BKm0XxAwEw6JofGIBI907RT7rVsEOJBMIYYvMfhwObpCxHIUG2rciRK4MWTeCChxFUq4_atq9Ax3Nleu6Q1LMxV5xc6yTybv0M9Z7oRJYDbTDEgOWol6WElg6Sde4JELlaOU7R5aRXUOmy-xWv7jENjiCYTPgf51b98sMuRrFZL9zd-KCV1mzU/s1080/IMG-20240917-WA0104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1080" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8R4Y1BKm0XxAwEw6JofGIBI907RT7rVsEOJBMIYYvMfhwObpCxHIUG2rciRK4MWTeCChxFUq4_atq9Ax3Nleu6Q1LMxV5xc6yTybv0M9Z7oRJYDbTDEgOWol6WElg6Sde4JELlaOU7R5aRXUOmy-xWv7jENjiCYTPgf51b98sMuRrFZL9zd-KCV1mzU/w640-h430/IMG-20240917-WA0104.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />By our Reporter in Longido </span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br />Some Maasai families in </span><span>Longido District, Arusha Region</span><span> are allegedly using baptism ceremonies as a cover to perform female genital mutilation (FGM) on young children, evading legal action.</span></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Reports indicate that many girls under the age of two have been subjected to this harmful practice in several villages within the district.<br /><br />At the launch of a project aimed at amplifying voices against FGM and violence towards women and children, officials from the Longido District government and the Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralists community (MAIPAC) revealed that perpetrators of FGM had adopted new tactics to continue the practice in secret. The event, which was supported by Cultural Survival, emphasized the need for continued efforts to combat FGM and hold offenders accountable.<br /><br />Longido District Development Officer, Rashid Hussein, stated that despite government crackdowns, FGM practices were still being carried out covertly during baptism celebrations. "We have identified this strategy, and we have instructed local leaders, from the ward office , to monitor and report any FGM activities during such ceremonies," said Hussein.<br /><br /> He also warned that some village leaders had attempted to resolve FGM cases informally, cautioning that the government would take legal action against any leader who turned a blind eye to the issue.<br /><br />The Longido District Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Matthew Majani, expressed concern over the health risks associated with FGM. He revealed that some women arrive at hospitals weakened from a lack of proper nutrition during pregnancy, as they are often denied food with the misguided belief that it would make childbirth easier. <br /><br />This practice, combined with the complications of FGM, has led to obstructed labor and other dangerous complications during delivery. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">"These women are arriving at our hospitals too weak to give birth safely because they are not being fed properly during pregnancy." He said<br /><br /> This must stop, especially given the government's efforts under President Samia Suluhu to build more health centers and hospitals," said Dr. Majani. He added that FGM has been linked to maternal and infant deaths due to excessive bleeding and the inability to deliver safely.<br /><br />Mussa Juma, Executive Director of MAIPAC, explained that the new project emerged from an investigative study by journalists in the Longido District. Despite the government's efforts to combat FGM, they found that young girls were still being subjected to the harmful practice.<br /><br /> "We sent journalists to investigate, and the findings motivated us to seek funding to intensify our efforts to raise awareness and fight FGM. We are grateful to Cultural Survival for their support," said Juma.<br /><br />One of the survivors of FGM, Merikinoi Orkesyanye, shared her experience, revealing that she has given birth to eight children, but during the delivery of her eighth child, she suffered complications due to the effects of FGM. "We are suffering because of FGM. I am grateful to the doctors here who helped me, and I urge other women and community elders to abandon this harmful practice for the sake of our health and our children," she said.<br /><br />Another speaker, Mary Laizer, shared her story of undergoing FGM but now dedicates herself to ensuring that her children, particularly her daughters, avoid the same fate. "I’ve made sure my daughter escaped FGM, and I will continue to fight to protect girls from this dangerous practice.<br /><br /> FGM has severe consequences, including excessive bleeding, loss of sexual pleasure, and, worst of all, the death of both mothers and children," Laizer stated as she demonstrated the various forms of FGM and the damage they cause. She urged both men and women to unite in the fight against FGM.<br /><br />The MAIPAC project, in collaboration with other stakeholders such as the Tembo Organization and the Longido District Council, plans to visit various villages to raise awareness about the dangers of FGM. The initiative also includes the formation of anti-FGM committees in each village to combat the practice at the grassroots level.</span><br /></div></div>

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The Maasai Families in Longido District allegedly use baptism ceremonies to conceal FGM practices

By our Reporter in Longido Some Maasai families in Longido District, Arusha Region are allegedly using baptism ceremonies as a cover to perform female genital mutilation (FGM) on young children, evadi…

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Tanzanian Shillings 6.56 Trillion Investment in the JNHPP Project Bears Fruits for the Nation

<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNF8FTvgNqcoRDh9YQMo5CkhxeWMyiKclUDIX_1UEuV6SuI85CMVOoWm90bz2fhUcZ1rQglg9hyM2-PW95qRuLXyocwQuocSPJ56_RzxmUSnaBiokrCxYat8OXw3xns0o1f5xtm5GhG9QdLEVNnCWIj2L086gtMm7p9tP9OgqH7Lox_-sGRYi0VMKKLc/s800/20240913_124941.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixNF8FTvgNqcoRDh9YQMo5CkhxeWMyiKclUDIX_1UEuV6SuI85CMVOoWm90bz2fhUcZ1rQglg9hyM2-PW95qRuLXyocwQuocSPJ56_RzxmUSnaBiokrCxYat8OXw3xns0o1f5xtm5GhG9QdLEVNnCWIj2L086gtMm7p9tP9OgqH7Lox_-sGRYi0VMKKLc/s16000/20240913_124941.png" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />By Our Reporter</span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br />The Public Investments Committee (PIC) of Parliament visited the construction site of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) on September 11, 2024, expressing satisfaction with the progress of the project, which has now reached 98.99% completion.<br /><br />Speaking during the visit, the Committee’s Vice-Chairperson, Hon. Marry Masanja, noted that the government's investment in the project has yielded significant benefits, including an increase in the national grid's electricity capacity and the creation of numerous job opportunities for Tanzanians during the construction phase.<br /><br />“The government has invested TSh 6.55 trillion—Tanzanians' money—into this project. So far, TSh 6.15 trillion has been paid to the contractor. Once the project is fully completed, we will have an abundance of electricity and will even be able to sell power to neighboring countries," said Hon. Masanja.<br /><br />She further emphasized that the committee, which oversees government investments, is satisfied with the progress made on the JNHPP project and encouraged the government to continue investing in other strategic projects.<br /><br />"I congratulate our President, Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan, for her oversight in this major strategic project and for allocating funds for its construction. Today, the project is 98.99% complete. It is a source of pride for every Tanzanian, and I urge the government to continue investing in impactful projects like this one," added Hon. Masanja.<br /><br />Another member of the committee, Hon. Nicholaus Ngassa, the MP for Igunga Constituency, also praised the JNHPP, stating that it has significantly improved electricity supply across the country. He noted that many residents in Igunga now have access to reliable power.<br /><br />"Electricity supply has continued to improve. In Igunga, many people now have access to electricity. I urge the people of Igunga and other areas to use this electricity wisely, particularly by adopting it as a clean cooking energy source to preserve the environment and move away from using firewood and charcoal. The electricity is available, and the cost is affordable," remarked Hon. Ngassa.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Energy, Mr. James Matarajio, highlighted those three turbines—units 9, 8, and 7—are already operational, contributing an additional 705 MW to the national grid. He added that two more turbines are undergoing testing, with unit 5 expected to be operational by November, and unit 3 slated to start in early 2025, bringing the total capacity to 2,115 MW.<br /><br />Mr. Matarajio also expressed gratitude to the committee for visiting the project and showing support for its progress.<br /><br />The JNHPP is one of Tanzania’s largest infrastructure projects, aimed at boosting the country’s electricity generation capacity and transforming it into a power hub in the region. Upon full completion, the project is expected to provide reliable and affordable energy, enhance industrialization, and create more opportunities for regional trade, particularly through exporting surplus electricity to neighboring countries. It also contributes to the country's efforts to shift towards sustainable energy sources, helping reduce the environmental impact of traditional energy practices.</span></div>

Tanzanian Shillings 6.56 Trillion Investment in the JNHPP Project Bears Fruits for the Nation

By Our ReporterThe Public Investments Committee (PIC) of Parliament visited the construction site of the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) on September 11, 2024, expressing satisfaction with t…

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35 teams set to battle in Chem Chem Cup 2024: Sh78 million up for grabs

<span style="font-size: large;"><br /><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7joMMtx8Iei6E_bpCyh_W3tUo0EHarlw4pmNxosnn3DcRIMJBpAVXPhHKqYF6iQWM74r9d8D9crdiCmx9PoFFN-QiueP4SaSXAjNYAPlcdrVoQfUUdQvJpP-fsdo7fpXO1oQsOYKLs4eOAFfMY-vliiVhZfR1ToQ3GWJ-xWjCeAqsvuoGCfNFRGwGJDU/s1280/20240908_152327.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1280" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7joMMtx8Iei6E_bpCyh_W3tUo0EHarlw4pmNxosnn3DcRIMJBpAVXPhHKqYF6iQWM74r9d8D9crdiCmx9PoFFN-QiueP4SaSXAjNYAPlcdrVoQfUUdQvJpP-fsdo7fpXO1oQsOYKLs4eOAFfMY-vliiVhZfR1ToQ3GWJ-xWjCeAqsvuoGCfNFRGwGJDU/w640-h640/20240908_152327.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />By Mussa Juma, Maipac<br /><br />Babati. A total of 35 teams will participate in the 2024 Chem Chem Cup, costing about 78 million shillings to run the tournament.<br /><br />The 10th edition of the tournament was launched on Saturday (September 7) by Mbulu District Commissioner, Veronica Kessy on behalf of the Manyara Regional Commissioner, Queen Sendiga.<br /><br />Kessy praised the Chem Chem Association for supporting sports and conservation in Babati District.<br /><br />“We commend Chem Chem Association for promoting this tournament every year. It helps conserve the environment and fight poaching,” she said.<br /><br />She encouraged Babati residents to engage in conservation activities.<br /><br />“The government appreciates Chem Chem’s efforts. Conservation brings great benefits,” Kessy added.<br /><br />Clever Zulu, Chem Chem’s General Manager, said the Association will continue supporting the tournament.<br /><br />“This year’s theme is ‘Protect the Environment, Save the Giraffe.’ We expect many participants from the ten villages in the Burunge Wildlife Management Area,” Zulu said.<br /><br />John Bura, the tournament secretary, affirmed that a total of 35 teams will participate.<br /><br />“We have 18 senior football teams, 9 youth teams under 18, and 8 women’s teams,” he said.<br /><br />The winners in the men’s category will get a trophy and 2.5 million shillings. The second place will get 1.5 million shillings, and the third place will receive 1 million shillings.<br /><br />For the women’s teams, the winners will get 1.5 million shillings, second place 1 million shillings, and third place 500,000 shillings.<br /><br />“The youth champions will receive 1 million shillings, second place 600,000 shillings, and third place 400,000 shillings. All champions will get medals, and there will be awards for the best players,” Bura explained.<br /><br />Babati District Wildlife Officer, Christopher Laizer, said the tournament aims to promote conservation.<br /><br />“We want to educate the community on protecting the environment, fighting poaching, building relationships, and improving health through sports,” Laizer stated.</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr></tbody></table><br />

35 teams set to battle in Chem Chem Cup 2024: Sh78 million up for grabs

By Mussa Juma, MaipacBabati. A total of 35 teams will participate in the 2024 Chem Chem Cup, costing about 78 million shillings to run the tournament.The 10th edition of the tournament was launched o…

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