Widowhood in Tanzania

Tanzania has one of the highest rates of child marriages in the entire world. Today, 37% of girls are forced into marriage before they have reached their 18th Birthday. In fact, 2 out of 5 girls are married before they are 18 years old. Traditional customs condone harassment and violence towards women. Cases of violence usually go unreported. The cases that are reported are usually settled outside of court. Discrimination also happens inside the classroom. The girls who actually get the chance to go to school can be automatically expelled if they are married or pregnant. In rural villages women who are older in years get accused of being witches and then are violently attacked. Studies have shown that in 2013, 505 women in Tanzania had witchcraft-related murders.
This is why the Rafiki Exchange strives to help widows in Africa, including Tanzania. We teach these women the Bible. They now have an opportunity to learn about a loving God who sent His Son to die for sinners, the One who created the world, a God who knows their every need. The Rafiki Exchange gives an opportunity for women to work and support themselves and their children. Giving them an option which was nearly impossible before. We believe in helping women in need across Africa. Women who often times have no voice, women who are forgotten. We are passionate about this important work.

Written by McKenna Gasper