As the world battles the latest strain of the coronavirus known as COVID-19 characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), “infodemics” – an excessive amount of (mostly untrue) information about the pandemic that makes it difficult to discern essential information – has been identified by the health body as one of the major obstacles to be tackled to win the war against the raging pandemic. In a bid to control spread of the virus, the WHO published a guideline on Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) to COVID-19, noting these responses are vital for containment. The COVID-19 pandemic is testing and stretching health systems and their ability to effectively communicate with their populations. Failure to communicate accurate public health facts could lead to losses of trust, reputation, economy, and lives. This paper turns its searchlight on nongovernmental and community-based organizations (NGOs and CBOs) in Africa, and how they handle infodemics in an information environment battling not just a health pandemic, but a hoax pandemic too. Methods: The study employed mixed method, with data drawn from Africanbased NGOs and CBOs via online questionnaire and interviews against the backdrop of the Situational Theory of Publics. Findings reveal, based on what NGO/CBO survey respondents report their local clients think, that many at the grassroots still do not believe COVID-19 is real, while others view it as government’s scheme to embezzle funds. NGO/CBOs therefore look to WHO and Health Ministries for accurate information. It concludes that RCCE with the public and atrisk populations help reduce confusion and builds trust in the public health guidance community members can take thereby restricting the disease spread as an outcome of the RCCE approach.
Women’s sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) are linked to numerous human rights; health, education, freedom from torture, protection from all forms of discrimination, and right of privacy. SRHR refers to a set of rights that every human being is entitled to, regardless of culture, race, religion, ethnicity, or disability. Women’s sexual and reproductive health rights have been taken for granted, especially in Tanzania’s health policies. However, Tanzania has several National Policies and Laws that affect women and men differently and in certain areas, they even contradict other existing laws. The prolonged poor SRHR shows the urgency of the reformation of the policies and laws. The analysis was carried out qualitatively through a reflection focused on the policy and other legal materials concerned. The study revealed that the policy does not cater enough for women’s SRHR. This study concludes that the policies are outdated and have a lot of loopholes. This has led the sexual and reproductive health system in Tanzania astray. The study concludes that the TNHP 2017 has to be reviewed and revised in order to meet the women’s SRHR and also to align it with some of the international policies and targets concerning sexual and reproductive health.
Tanzanian women play a vital role in the country’s development and industrialization. Tanzania’s agriculture is considered the country’s backbone, but women are the driving force behind small-scale farming. This study aims to identify the types of NGOs that support women, small-scale farmers, to investigate the effects of NGOs, and the challenges that small-scale farmers face in Tchenzema ward. The transition and growth model development theory, and patriarchy theory, were used in the study. The study revealed that poor transportation, crop illnesses and insects, lack of pesticides, price fluctuation, lack of energy, and high agricultural equipment prices are some of the issues faced by women small-scale farmers in Tchenzema ward. This study concludes that the lack of collaboration between the Tanzanian government and farmers causes farmers to only rely on NGOs. The government and non-governmental organizations need to support women small-scale farmers so as to solve the challenges, and raising the output, hence let the agriculture sector achieves its national aim of economic growth.
Women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) have been undermined from time to time due to female genital mutilation (FGM). Women and girls experiencing FGM in many developing countries, including Tanzania and Nigeria. The aim of this study is to investigate the problems that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, which contributed to the high rates of FGM in Tanzania and Nigeria. This study uses a qualitative method to see the prevalence of FGM in both countries which has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. This study is supported by the Patriarchal theory of Sylvia Walby, which explains why men try to oppress and control women as figures who dominate society. The study results show that both Nigeria and Tanzania have seen an increase in FGM amid COVID-19, with school closures placing teenage girls at the highest risk of FGM. The study concludes that the government, private institutions, and other development stakeholders should work together to find solutions to assist communities and families in ending FGM. If these efforts are implemented, then the 2030 sustainable development agenda can become a reality in ending FGM in Nigeria and Tanzania.
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