By Katherine Gifford
Today, in Tanzania – as in the rest of the world – the international community comes together to mark and commemorate the International Day of Peace.
Celebrated each year, this day provides the opportunity to reflect on what constitutes peace and what transformative changes are needed to bring about long-lasting peace.
In his 100-day countdown to the International Day of Peace message, the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres encourages each of us to strive harder to promote dialogue, empathy and human rights for all, emphasizing that peace is a culture that needs to be cultivated in the minds of children and communities across countries and generations.
Peace is not simply the absence of war, it is a day-to-day practice. The participation and leadership of women and girls is key to this practice and to sustaining peace.
From local dispute settlement to international peace agreement negotiations, women and girls are crucial actors to ensure that peace processes, decisions taken and measures implemented are responsive to the priorities and needs of women and girls.
In 2000, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325). Along with subsequent resolutions, Resolution 1325 acknowledges that women and girls are disproportionately affected by conflict and play key roles across the peace continuum—from conflict prevention to post-conflict reconstruction.
Driven by an African-led initiative, the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda was established. Today, 108 countries, including the United Republic of Tanzania (URT), have developed and are implementing National Action Plans (NAPs) on UNSCR 1325 to advance women’s participation and leadership in peace and security processes.
In line with the objectives of the newly launched National Gender and Women Development Policy (2023-2033), the first Tanzania National Action Plan (NAP) on UNSCR 1325, developed with support from UN Women and currently undergoing approval, aims to play a key role in promoting the meaningful participation, influence, and leadership of Tanzanian women in preventing conflict and sustaining peace.
This includes their involvement at all levels of public decision-making, relief and recovery efforts, and peace and security processes. The NAP also complements other national frameworks such as the National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children II.
As we come together to celebrate the International Day of Peace, we acknowledge Tanzania’s efforts to advance the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda and honour the women and young women who continuously work to build and sustain peace in their communities.
Peace thrives when women are included. By promoting gender equality, challenging harmful stereotypes, and investing in women’s leadership, we can create a more inclusive and sustainable peace.
On this International Day of Peace, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a Culture of Peace where women’s voices are heard, their rights are protected, and their leadership is celebrated. Together, we can create a world where this becomes a reality for all.
Katherine Gifford is officer in charge, UN Women Tanzania
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Tanzania: Samia Hands Over NBC’s 354m/ – Crop Insurance Compensation to Farmers Affected By Hailstorms
President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has handed over a cheque of 354m/- from the National Bank of Commerce (NBC) as compensation to tobacco farmers, who were affected by hailstorms during the previous farming season in various regions across the country.
Handing over the cheque in Dodoma, the compensation is part of the crop insurance service provided by NBC in collaboration with the National Insurance Corporation (NIC).
Furthermore, President Samia has also handed over health insurance coverage to members of the Lindi Mwambao Cooperative Union based in Lindi Region, through the Farmers’ Health Insurance service provided by the bank in partnership with Assurance Insurance Company.
While visiting the bank’s pavilion at the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition and being received and briefed by the bank’s Managing Director, Mr. Theobald Sabi, she said: “This crop insurance is one of the crucial solutions in ensuring farmers have a reliable income, without fear of challenges such as natural disasters, including hailstorms.
“I call upon all farmers in the country to make the best use of this important opportunity by accessing these kinds of insurance services. I also highly commend NBC and all the stakeholders participating in this programme.”
Elaborating further on the crop insurance service, the Minister of Agriculture, Hussein Bashe, stated that it will help to recover the loss farmers incurred, especially in various calamities beyond their control.
Citing them as floods, fires, and hailstorms, which have significantly affected the well-being of farmers and caused some to be reluctant to invest in the crucial sector, Mr Bashe added: “However, our President, this step by NBC is just the beginning, as this is the second year since they started offering this service, and the results are already visible.
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“As the government, we promise to continue supporting the wider implementation of this service, with the goal of ensuring that this crop insurance service reaches more farmers.”
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On his part, Mr Sabi said that the farmers who benefited from the compensations are from 23 primary cooperative unions in the regions of Shinyanga, Geita, Tabora, Mbeya, Katavi, and Kigoma.
He added: “In addition to these insurance services, as a bank, through this exhibition, we have continued with our programme of providing financial education and various banking opportunities to farmers, alongside offering them various loans, including loans for agricultural equipment, particularly tractors, to eligible farmers.:
At the NBC booth, President Samia also had the opportunity to be briefed on the various services offered by the bank to the farmers namely crop insurance and health insurance services.
There, the President had the chance to speak with some of the beneficiaries of the services, including the Vice-Chairman of the Lindi Mwambao Primary Cooperative Union, Mr. Hassan Mnumbe, whose union has been provided with a health insurance card from the bank.
Source: allafrica.com
