THE PLIGHT OF CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN 'DESERTED' BY THEIR FATHERS IN DAR

The procession of women to the Office of the Regional Commissioner of Dar es salaam last week dominated the Newsrooms of a number of media in Tanzania. The social media were not left behind. They were extremely busy immediately reporting whatever came across them. As in social media every smartphone owner becomes a reporter, exaggerations could not be avoided as editing is not important.  Pictures of women in a procession and video clips of some of them lamenting and cursing their former partners in 'crimes' who were alleged to have ceased to perform their responsibilities were most shared. Those that portrayed pictures of children who were said to be a result of love affairs with some prominent figures in the country flooded the social media. Interesting, there were some ladies who seemed to have misunderstood the exercise-which by all means had seemingly targeted children ( probably below 18 years). These ladies claiming to have been deserted by their fathers- mostly prominent figures, left unanswered questions as to whether they qualified for the exercise. This is because unlike other women who had paraded with their children before the RC Office, these ladies presented themselves without their mothers. Some people were quick to dispute their allegations claiming that they were being used politically. Indeed there is one lady who claimed her child has been deserted by her lover (a political figure ) later on declared that her allegations were not true and that there were some people behind her previous allegations.  The question is ' how many women had undergone similar experience?'

There were those who were disputing the entire exercise that it had no legal authority as there are appropriate institutions to handle such matters. Some associated the matter with violation of the rights of children given the pictures of these minors which were being circulated widely. This matter was also raised by the Deputy Minister of Health who insisted on the need for the media to observe the rights of children while reporting the matter. Another interesting part of this issues was the video clips of married women (Legal Wives) who did not sympathise with the single parents who had paraded at the RC's office claiming that those women deserved such treated because they knew that the men they were dating were married hence they were reaping what they sow. These women showed no remorse for the women whom they called thieves who have been stealing their husbands. 

Despite of all that happened the lesson that every responsible parent should take is that  whether it was planned or unplanned pregnancy, the child should not be punished. All parents should ensure that the wellbeing of their children are enhanced to the admirable levels. One should not wait for some institutions to remind them of their responsibilities to raise their childrenim as this sounds absurd and embarrassing. LETS BE RESPONSIBLE PARENTS

BEING DIFFERENT IS A BLESSING AND NOT A CURSE

Albinism is viewed as a curse in most African societies and as such in some societies women are told to spat saliva whenever they encounter a person with albinism in order to avoid giving birth to children with albinism. Undoubtedly, persons with albinism are seen as aliens in most of our societies. Some even see them as possessing supernatural powers that can be used to bring fortune to people hence making them rich, or get minerals or gemstone if they are engaged in mining activities. Unfortunately parts of their bodies have to be chopped off in order to get bones that are then used to make the potions. This evil belief has claimed a number of  lives of innocent people as many end up being killed in the process of chopping their body parts. A number of campaigns and demonstrations have been carried to fight against such evil and inhumane acts but still the acts keep on recurring. This shows how deep the ill belief has penetrated in our societies. However, this should not discourage us but energize us to do more and more. The Story below from the Daily mail about the Mexican model who has albinism if shared countrywide can assist in changing the mind-sets of our societies on albinism. Will make our societies to see them as normal persons who have feelings, talents and what have you. 

Albino Mexican model challenges beauty standards by embracing her pale skin and silver hair in a series of stunning photos

An albino woman from Mexico who grew up being teased and bullied for her incredibly light skin and hair has finally learned to embrace her beauty — and has made it her mission to get others to see it, too. Ruby Vizcarra had a rough time with the way she looked while growing up in Guadalajara, Mexico. The kids at school didn't understand her condition — and really, she didn't know a whole lot about it either.

But now she has made herself the local poster child for albinism, and that poster is a pretty glamorous one. Profiled by Yahoo, the 24-year-old is pursuing a career as a model, and is showing off rather than covering up what makes her different.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5218271/Albino-Mexican-model-Ruby-Vizcarra-embraces-differences.html#ixzz52cpUlkbP

REFUSING TO BECOME A BEGGAR

THE MALAWIAN HYENA FINALLY SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN JAIL!!

An HIV-positive Malawian man who said he slept with at least 100 girls and women in traditional cleansing rituals has been sentenced to two years in jail and hard labour after being convicted of 'engaging in harmful practices'.Eric Aniva was prosecuted on the orders of President Peter Mutharika after publicly speaking about his role as a 'hyena' in a BBC documentary.

Custom in some parts of southern Malawi demands that a man, known as a 'hyena', is paid to have sex with bereaved widows to exorcise evil spirits and to prevent other deaths occurring.At the request of a girl's parents, the 'hyena' is also paid to have sex with adolescent girls to mark their passage to womanhood after their first menstruation
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3960508/Malawi-hyena-man-faces-sentencing-sex-ritual.html#ixzz4QlBR1wpv
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THE MALAWIAN "HYENA" FINALLY ARRESTED

•   Eric Aniva claims he has had sex with more than 100 adolescent girls
•   He said he was paid between $4 and $7 by the girls' families for his service
•   Aniva admitted he continued his 'cleansing' service despite having HIV
•   He faces life in prison after admitting having sex with girls as young as 12 

Malawi police have arrested an HIV-infected man who was paid to have sex with more than 100 adolescent girls as part of a traditional ritual marking their passage to womanhood, officials said Tuesday. Eric Aniva, from the southern district of Nsanje, was held after giving a media interview confessing to have slept with the girls for a fee of between four and seven dollars, paid by each of their families.The little-known local practice lasts three days and is performed in southern Malawi by men known as 'hyenas' at the request of a girl's parents after her first menstruation.

The ritual is believed to train girls to become good wives and to protect them from disease or misfortune that could fall on their families or their village.District Commissioner Gift Lapozo said: 'Aniva was arrested on Monday after he was summoned to my office. 'Aniva should 'be investigated for exposing the young girls to contracting HIV and further be charged accordingly,' Mutharika added. 'Harmful cultural and traditional practices cannot be accepted.'

The sexual cleansing ritual is also performed on bereaved widows in Nsanje district to exorcise villages of evil spirits or to prevent another death occurring. Aniva, who has two wives and was reported to be in his 40s, said a 'hyena' was selected by the community based on good morals and that custom did not allow him to use condoms. One girl told the BBC: 'There was nothing else I could have done.'I had to do it for the sake of my parents. If I'd refused, my family members could be attacked with diseases -- even death -- so I was scared.'

Malawi, which has one of the highest HIV infections in the world, criminalises sex with a person under the age of 16.If found guilty of underage sex, Aniva could be imprisoned for life.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3709033/Malawi-police-arrested-HIV-infected-man-known-hyena-paid-sex-100-adolescent-girls-traditional-ritual-marking-passage-womanhood.html#ixzz4FaCzEV3l

My take: Its sad that in this era some people continue to cling to such uncouth and harmful traditions. Does this outdated tradition need some Vasco Da Gama  to unfold the danger embedded in it? Its only a matter of allowing common sense to prevail. For instance, the OKUSOMBOKA (kutakasa) practice that is still practiced among Kerewe people in Tanzania, where a widow is forced to have sexual intercourse with a hired man without wearing condoms in order to be "cleansed", do we still need the Messiah to make those people come to their senses? http://www.vitukovyamtaani.com/2013/08/ubakaji-wa-wajane-ni-ubakaji.html

PAID TO HAVE SEX WITH CHILDREN AND WIDOWS

Aniva , the famous "hyena"with a root which he grinds up and adds to water to drink before sex

In some remote southern regions of Malawi, it's traditional for girls to be made to have sex with a paid sex worker known as a "hyena" once they reach puberty. The act is not seen by village elders as rape, but as a form of ritual "cleansing". However, as Ed Butler reports, it has the potential to be the opposite of cleansing - a way of spreading disease.
Aniva is by all accounts the pre-eminent "hyena" in this village. It's a traditional title given to a man hired by communities in several remote parts of southern Malawi to provide what's called sexual "cleansing". If a man dies, for example, his wife is required by tradition to sleep with Aniva before she can bury him. If a woman has an abortion, again sexual cleansing is required.
......And most shockingly, here in Nsanje, teenage girls, after their first menstruation, are made to have sex over a three-day period, to mark their passage from childhood to womanhood. If the girls refuse, it's believed, disease or some fatal misfortune could befall their families or the village as a whole.
"Most of those I have slept with are girls, school-going girls," Aniva tells me. Some girls are just 12 or 13 years old, but I prefer them older. All these girls find pleasure in having me as their hyena. They actually are proud and tell other people that this man is a real man, he knows how to please a woman.".....
It's clear, given the hyena's duties, that HIV is a huge risk to the community. The UN estimates that one in 10 of all Malawians carry the virus, so I ask Aniva if he is HIV-positive. He astounds me by saying that he is - and that he doesn't mention this to a girl's parents when they hire him.

A story by :Ed Butler BBC News, Malawi
For more information: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36843769

'FREE THE NIPPLE CAMPAIGN'

Hundreds of men and women gathered topless on Brighton beach for the 'Free the Nipple' campaign to make the sight or breasts more normal. Two hundred women and men paraded topless around Brighton Beach at the weekend to highlight controversial social media policies about banning female nipples. The Sunday afternoon march started from Brighton Pier, and then headed along the East Sussex city seafront before stopping on the beach - where everybody sunbathed topless. I am skeptical of the approach being used to 'normalize' what is currently classified as nudity within the society. Undoubtedly, this campaign tries to address 'mistakes' that did take place in our evolution process. The big question is   IS IT PROPER TO BULLDOZE THE SOCIETY TO NORMALISE WOMEN NIPPLES GOING PUBCLIC? What if we left 'evolution' to take its course?  I believe the way we evolve in our culture-dressing, eating, perceptions-will determine whether nipples goes public or not. The Amazon people, the Bushmen and the like all go topless without any worry, do we envy their lifestyle? Is accepting women going topless the only thing we like to copy from them?

Pope Francis to commission a study to allow women serve as deacons in the Catholic Church

Pope Francis said he is willing to create a commission to study whether women should be allowed serve as deacons within the Catholic Church. The pontiff was addressing a meeting of 900 women who were members of various religious congregations from around the world. When asked about the prospect of female deacons, Pope Francis said he was not opposed to the idea. A deacon can lead certain services but cannot say Mass. A deacon can also administer a parish in the absence of a priest. 

Under current rules, the Church allows married men who are at least 35 to sign up as a deacon. 

However, the Vatican stressed decision to allow women deacons would not lead to the ordination of female priests. According to the National Catholic Reporter, Pope Francis revealed he had discussed the issue of women deacons many years ago with a 'wise' professor. They were unable to determine the role women deacons held in the early church.  

 

He said: 'Constituting an official commission that might study the question? I believe yes. It would do good for the church to clarify this point. I am in agreement. I will speak to do something like this.'

Pope Francis said there were theological and liturgical issues over whether women can deliver the homily in a Mass because the priest is serving 'in persona Christi'.  He said women should have a greater role to play in the life of the church 'whether consecrated or lay.

CHALLENGING THE MACHISMO WORLD

CANNED FOR HAVING SEX OUTSIDE MARRIAGE

1.       A young woman is brought to the public stage in Banda Aceh and forced down on to her knees for her punishment for having sex outside of marriage 

2.       Also receiving a whipping punishment is a man, accused of the same crime under strict Sharia Law 

 A public caning is just one of the punishments handed out to people breaking Sharia law in Banda Aceh, the only province in Indonesia, where it is still followed closely. Islamic laws have been strengthened since the province struck a peace deal with the central government in 2005. Last month, the local government banned Valentine's Day celebrations, including giving cards or chocolates, deeming it an 'unlawful act' under Sharia law.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3507438/Horrific-pictures-young-Indonesian-woman-sobbing-caned-public-having-sex-outside-marriage-carried-stretcher-collapsed.html#ixzz43pdDaUDx

HAPPY WOMEN'S DAY 2016

MINGLING WITH OPPOSITE SEX FRIEND IS A CRIME IN INDONESIA

Amid the pitiless heat and humidity of the afternoon, a slight young woman screams in agony as she is thrashed repeatedly with a cane. Her face becomes a mask of pain and humiliation until she collapses forward on to the ground, clutching pitiably at her shoulder.Her ‘crime’ was to have been found in the company of a fellow undergraduate who was a man but was not a relation.Miss Elita, who was dwarfed by the sinister police officer who was to carry out the punishment, was first made to kneel. A rattan cane at least 4ft long had been formally handed to the masked officer.

The policeman beat Miss Elita between her shoulder blades, the cane swishing and bending in the air with the force of the blows. After the fifth strike, she fell forward to the floor. In obvious pain and distress, she had to be carried - by four uniformed women in headscarves - from the scaffold and taken by ambulance to hospital.

After her ordeal, the 23-year-old man with whom she was alleged to have breached Sharia law was also beaten, as were four other locals convicted of gambling.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3378338/Screaming-agony-young-woman-caned-cheering-crowd-just-near-fellow-student.html#ixzz3vlylTy4x
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EMBRACING WOMEN

HONOUR KILLING STILL A PROBLEM IN ARAB COUNTRIES

Muslim father strangled daughter, 19, to death in 'honour killing' after she was caught stealing condoms for sex with her forbidden boyfriend in Germany


• Asadullah Khan , 51, said he killed his daughter Lareeb for bringing 'dishonour' on the family with her love for a boy he didn't approve of

• Khan and his wife Shazia, originally from Pakistan, are on trial for murder

• The couple wed in an arranged marriage and he wanted the same for her

• He admits strangling his daughter but his wife claims she couldn't stop him

A Muslim man has confessed to strangling his 19-year-old daughter to death with his bare hands after learning from police she had been caught shoplifting condoms to have sex with her forbidden boyfriend.

Asadullah Khan and his wife Shazia then dressed dead daughter Lareeb, a dental technician, in her clothes.

They then wheeled her in a wheelchair from their high-rise apartment to the family car, drove to a secluded embankment in their home city of Darmstadt in Germany, and tipped the corpse down it.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3251787/Muslim-father-strangled-daughter-19-death-honour-killing-caught-stealing-condoms-sex-forbidden-boyfriend-Germany.html#ixzz3n249lYl3

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EVEN EUROPE IS NOT SPARED FROM FEMALE GENITAL MUTILATION!!

Its shocking to realise that female genital mutilation has now been exported across the world. This trend calls for the International Community to unit and fight against the deadly practice. Below is an excerpt from the dailymail providing detailed information on how Uk has been affected by the vice:

 Women who have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) are living in 'virtually every part of England and Wales', with the highest rates being in London.

An estimated 137,000 women and girls are affected by FGM across the country, with the highest rate found in the London borough of Southwark.

In that borough, which is the southern part of the capital, one in every 20 women has been a victim while more than one in ten of their mothers have also gone through the same ordeal.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3169685/One-20-women-one-London-borough-fallen-victim-female-genital-mutilation-says-shock-new-report.html#ixzz3gbiyzfRa 

A BRAZEN CLERIC NORMALISES MARITAL RAPE

A Muslim cleric has issued a fatwa ordering a woman to agree to sex with her husband even if they are on the back of a camel, as he denounces the idea of marital rape as 'made up by European people'. Perak Mufti Tan Sri Harussani Zakaria claims that, according to the Prophet Mohammed, a wife can only refuse her husband sex if she is menstruating, sick or just given birth. Her right to say no, he asserted, was lost the moment her father handed her to her new husband.

Zakaria told Malay Mail Online: 'Even the Prophet says even when they're riding on the back of the camel, when the husband asks her, she must give.

'So there's no such thing as rape in marriage. This is made by European people, why should we follow?' Unsurprisingly, his religious edict and outrageous comments have horrified many in his home country of Malaysia and beyond.

Writing in MalaysiaKini.com, Joshua Teh, an advocacy officer at the Women’s Centre for Change in Penang, said: 'Have we not provided excuses for rapists long enough? 'We need to recognise that women, both married and not married, have the right over their own bodies, and that includes the right to reject sex. 'To turn a blind eye to that right is to reduce the woman’s dignity as a person and to further normalise the prevalence of sexual crimes in our society.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3061101/Muslim-cleric-issues-fatwa-wives-agree-sex-husbands-riding-camel.html#ixzz3YnGctdmQ
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FOUR PEOPLE SENTENCED TO DEATH FOR MURDERING A WOMAN WITH ALBINISM

  Zawadi Mangidu, 22, was killed by a gang in north-western town of Geita

  Her husband was among the group who carried out the savage attack 

  Group killed Mrs Mangidu so they could sell her body parts as charms

  All four now face execution as Tanzania cracks down on albino murders 

  75 people suffering from albinism have been brutally murdered in the east African nation over the past 15 years
Four people have been sentenced to death in Tanzania after brutally murdering a young albino woman in order to harvest her body parts as good luck charms.

Zawadi Mangidu, 22, was killed in north-western town of Geita by a group that included her husband, who is among those due to be executed.

There is no guarantee the death penalties will ever actually be carried out, however, as the east African nation has had a moratorium on executions for the past 21 years.

The conviction comes just days after Tanzania's President Jakaya Kikwete promised to end a wave of killings of albinos, saying the witchcraft-related murders are shaming Tanzania.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2981241/Four-sentenced-death-Tanzania-brutally-murdering-young-albino-woman-order-use-body-parts-good-luck-charms.html#ixzz3Ta0FAuVE
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ALBINOS' FATE IN TANZANIA REMAIN UNCERTAIN



Besides the public outcry on the victimization and barbaric killings of Albinos in Africa, particularly Tanzania, the perpetrators seem to be unconcerned and as such their lusts to kill continue affecting the feelings of Tanzanian well-wishers. Indeed ignorance lies at the centre of all albino killings as the perpetrators believe organs from albino bodies have magical power to make them rich.  This is utter nonsense and stupidity as any sane person could have asked himself if a small portion of an albino fresh will make one rich why hasn’t the albino himself –who posses all parts, become rich?. In fact, most albinos in Tanzania live in abject poverty contrary to the richness their organs are purported to posses. It is my sincere believe that elimination of Witch Doctors will be a major achievement in the struggle to stop albino killings as they are the main cause for the BIG LIE that albinos to be targeted by evil people who are ready to enrich themselves at any expense.

THE UNSUNG FAMILY CARETAKERS

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015!!!