Dar es Salaam, Nov. 25 -- TANZANIA: THE United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have called on the regional bloc member states to improve legislation, policies, budgets and accountability to protect women and children against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

According to them, data reveals that about 17 per cent of girls and women in Southern Africa have experienced forced sex in their lifetime, while 28 per cent of women in Tanzania have experienced sexual abuse during childhood.

In the report, UNICEF Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Ms Etleva Kadilli, said the root causes of violence against children and women are grounded in power imbalances.

“Abuse of power oc...