CCM’s women wing (UWT) has launched a national legal aid campaign with the aim of providing support to the public throughout the country.

In the campaign, the organisation in collaboration with other stakeholders, mainly from the private sector, will educate the public on the need to protect human rights, respect and dignity.  The campaigners will conduct legal aid public meeting every last Saturday of the month at district and regional levels

The campaign will also strengthen access to rights of the public and provision of legal aid by increasing legal understanding and human rights in the society, especially the rights of women and children.

Launched in Dodoma yesterday, the campaign is set to start in ten regions and spread further in all other regions in the mainland and Zanzibar.

Speaking during the launch of the campaign that also coincided with the launch of the wing’s legal and rights committee, UWT Chairperson Mary Chatanda said that the campaign will help to deal with traditions and customs which conflict with the laws of the country.

“The campaign is in support of Mama Samia Legal Aid campaign and it will also focus on strengthening legal advice service for victims and survivors of sexual violence, land issues, among others” she said.

 She added that the campaign will help to increase public awareness on legal education on issues of human rights and responsibilities and the basics of good governance as well as involving other important matters that affect society in the entire justice system.

 Other issues that will be addressed are management of inheritance, land conflicts and the right to own property, conflict resolutions through alternative means especially for leaders of local government namely ward executives, village executives, and members of land councils, traditional elders and prominent elders as well as religious leaders.

Zanzibar Deputy Ministry for Community Development, Gender Elderly and Children, Anna Atanas Paul, said President Samia Suluhu Hassan has been stressing that the presence of good laws alone is not enough, but the citizens also need to be educated about the laws of their country.

She argued that the campaign will help people know their rights and responsibilities. “The president has been expressing her concerns about the acts of cruelty done to children and women in our communities and this campaign is going to address the issue” she said.