NGOs want government to protect women in border trade

Led by the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP), the organisations said women traders have continued to experience abuses while conducting their businesses and that only this incorporation will be able to help deal with such cases.

In a joint statement issued in Dar es Salaam after a two-day training on gender mainstreaming in trade for women’s economic justice in East African Community (EAC), the organisations cited sexual harassment, long bureaucracy and denial of basic information as some of the biggest challenges facing women traders at the boarders.

The training, prepared by TGNP in collaboration with the Gender Training Institute (GTI), brought on board government officials, women traders, activists and police officers to discuss key solutions for key challenges facing women cross boarders traders.

“Such incidence for abuse of women are still mushrooming with some of the women forced into sex in order to gain favours at the border,” read part of the statement. 

The organisations say there is need for the government to equip gender desks at the borders adding that this will be able to assist the traders.

“Despite high number of abuse cases reported at the borders, the government has continued to remain mum perhaps due to lack of specific laws protecting women cross border traders.” The statement continued.

Department of trade and Integration official Fredy Kavula said the ministry had introduced the National Management Council (NMC) for elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTB) that works to control all tariff related-challenges facing women.

He added that the council provides education to both women traders and service providers at the border in order to strengthen provision of services.

“Women are advised to create a joint venture in order to have a great access for their rights,” the officer said.

TGNP’s Independent consultant on gender budgeting and human issues Gemma Akilimani said failure to include gender issues in the trade policy has continued to limit women’s rights.

“We have seen that most of women lack knowledge on trade issues which makes them use illegal ways of achieving things,” she said.

Some women she said opt for illegal and unscrupulous means due to poor service delivery and lack of collaboration from border staff.