U.S. Ambassador Alfonso E. Lenhardt bestowed the 2011 Tanzanian Woman of Courage award on Maimuna Kanyamala for her efforts to promote women's rights in Tanzania.
As Executive Director and founder of Kivulini Women's Rights Organization in Mwanza, Ms. Kanyamala has advocated for women's rights with special emphasis on mobilizing communities to prevent violence against women and girls in the Lake Victoria Region. Ms. Kanyamala was inspired to establish Kivulini after witnessing firsthand how violence within and outside the family undermines the respect, self-worth and dignity of women and girls. Ms. Kanyamala has committed herself to changing the outlook for women in the region by creating a safe environment where women can live dignified lives.
Ms. Kanyamala efforts to fulfill this commitment have faced serious challenges from her community. In response to Kivulini's awareness raising campaigns and other community mobilization activities, Ms. Kanyamala faced harsh criticism from opponents across the region. They accused Ms. Kanyamala and Kivulini of making women "big headed" and labeled Kivulini an "anti-men" organization.
The attacks on Ms. Kanyamala often took on a personal tone. At community meetings organized by Kivulini, men would denounce her, questioning her authority in speaking openly about abuse, violence, and women's rights. She was further accused of promoting women’s rights out of a hatred for men, for personal reasons, or long-held grudges.
Ms. Kanyamala continued her efforts in the face of threats against her personal safety and attempts to damage her reputation within society. Her leadership has transformed minds, established a dialogue with her critics, and engendered a new respect for women.
As he honored Ms. Kanyamala with the 2011 "Tanzanian Woman of Courage" award at April 20 ceremony at the U.S. Embassy, Ambassador Lenhardt proclaimed his solidarity with her goals:
" We must take the lead of our honoree and stand up to the impunity that too often leaves the most egregious perpetrators of gender-based violence unaccountable for their crimes. We must redress the poor status of women and girls which renders them undervalued and vulnerable. Further, we must support the inclusion of men and boys in addressing and preventing violence and changing gender attitudes, as well as acknowledging that males can also be victimized because of their gender. And we must highlight and promote effective programs, like those implemented by Kivulini, that are successfully working to eliminate gender based violence."
The U.S. Ambassador said the American people have committed over $7 million in 2011 to help reduce gender-based violence in Tanzania.
Maimuna Kanyamala becomes the fourth recipient of the Tanzanian Woman of Courage Award since the U.S. Embassy began this recognition. Others before here were Ananilea Nkya, Executive Director of the Tanzanian Women Association (TAMWA); Helen Kijo-Bisimba, Executive Director of the Legal and Human Rights Center in 2008, and Anne Kilango Malecela, Member of Parliament for Same East Constituency, Kilimanjaro Region in 2009.
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