Harmful Practices: An Obstacle in the Realisation of Women’s Rights in Tanzania

This article considers harmful practices in Tanzania that violate women’s rights. Most provisions of international human rights treaties that focus primarily on women in Tanzania have not been adequately incorporated into national legislation. Efforts to implement such international treaties are often met with suspicion or hostility from the communities owing to a prevalent patriarchal system and its accompanying customs. Women are systematically being denied their rights to autonomy, health and education with the excuse of ‘harmful practices.’ Although the universality of human rights norms and the right to enjoy one’s own culture and respect for cultural diversity have been challenged, it is undeniable that, whenever a state enters into an agreement with the intention of being governed by international law, that state has a legal obligation to comply with such international law or treaty. This article seeks to explore aspects of existing cultural practices and traditions that need to be abolished to conform to the provisions of international law. It is argued that traditional and cultural practices should adhere to the values of equality and women’s rights and that a strong legal framework is essential for addressing harmful practices.