How Cultural Traditions Encourage Violence Against Women

Violence against women is a global problem, but its prevalence is particularly high in Tanzania because of cultural traditions that encourage unequal power between men and women. My presentation seeks to shed light on how cultural traditions promote intimate partner violence, female genital mutilation and other related forms of violence. I think that rites of passage, lack of education and sociocultural and economic barriers to justice create unending cycle of violence. Cultural traditions that devalue women in Tanzania cause much violence against women. Such violence has negative social, economic, physical and psychological effects on victims, families and the community. I strongly believe that ending harmful cultural practices that promote unequal power between men and women will stop the cycle of violence against women and its negative impacts, thus building sustainable healthy families and communities in Tanzania. Some of the solutions to the problem of violence against women in Tanzania are creating awareness of the negative consequences of violence against women and of women’s rights, as well as passing and implementing effective laws and policies to prevent violence.

Speaker: Richard Augustino Pallangyo, Computer Science ‘22 

Richard Pallangyo is an international and first-generation college student. He grew up in a small village in Tanzania, where he couldn't imagine the dreams he holds dear today. Pallangyo's community had no electricity and no running water. When Richard looks back at his life, the ideas of attaining a college degree and having dreams that will change lives were almost comical to ponder. The course of his life changed in 2008 when an education-focused NGO called The Foundation For Tomorrow (TFFT) took him in, and he embarked on a path that led him to Seattle Central College and, now, Seattle University. Through TFFT, he attended excellent schools in Tanzania and had access to resources that enabled him to advance his academic and leadership skills. Richard believes that his mother's inspiration and the life struggles he has endured have not only strengthened but also encouraged him with purpose. Richard firmly believes that it's the generosity of others that have helped him get where he is today. For example, he is pursuing a degree in computer science at Seattle University through scholarships, including the Alfie Scholars program and support from his host family. Richard thinks that he has been incredibly fortunate and believes it is his purpose to help others who face tremendous obstacles in realizing their own dreams. Richard's career goal is to become a security analyst or a data scientist as he also practices civility in his work and community to create a better world. He intends to use his gifts, opportunities, and academic skills to help others improve their lives and their community. Pallangyo has realized and witnessed that his culture treats women as having no value. Therefore, he intends to use his leadership skills and gifts to elevate the importance of women in his culture through advocacy. Also, he hopes to establish a technology school in Tanzania for young people to realize their potential to end the cycle of poverty in their communities.