Can music help prevent violence against women? Young leaders in Tanzania are showing it can

In January 2026, the Zanzibar Office of the Chief Government Statistician reported a 14.1 per cent rise in gender-based violence cases reported to the police. The 2022 UN Women and OECD Social Institutions and Gender Index Report also points to persistent social norms at the root of gender-based violence, including beliefs that justify a husband physically disciplining his spouse in certain circumstances. It further shows that when violence occurs, survivors seldom seek formal assistance.

These findings point to two realities. Progress is being made through coordinated efforts to address violence against women and girls, and increased reporting may reflect greater awareness, confidence and agency among survivors. Yet harmful norms persist, and much more remains to be done.

For Omulkhair Ibrahim, a student at the State University of Zanzibar and an environmental health officer with the Zanzibar Ministry of Health, violence against women and girls is not an abstract issue. Through her studies, work and leadership of her university’s Environmental Health Science Club, she has seen how limited awareness of rights can leave women and girls more exposed to violence and less likely to seek support.

“In Zanzibar, many believe that in a marriage, for example, women should defer to men. Many women don’t know or understand what their rights are within a marriage, so their rights are often violated without them even knowing,” says Ibrahim.

Youth leadership brings prevention messages closer to communities in Zanzibar

That concern led Ibrahim to get involved in a youth-focused outreach initiative organized by UN Women Tanzania and the European Union in partnership with the annual Sauti za Busara music festival, one of East Africa’s largest international music festivals. After attending a UN Women-supported outreach activity in early 2026, she asked whether her university club could help plan the next one. She later joined a 25-member youth-led planning committee and took part in a panel discussion, helping bring prevention messages closer to young people and communities.

Using music and culture to challenge discriminatory norms and beliefs

Through music, theatre, traditional dance and youth-led performances, the initiative used familiar and engaging forms of expression to open conversations on violence against women and girls, challenge harmful attitudes, and share information on prevention and support.

For Ibrahim, this approach helped young women and men see that violence against women is not a private issue to be hidden or ignored. It also gave participants practical information on where survivors can seek help when support is needed.

“Most young people do not know where to go or who to speak to when violence happens,” she said. “We were provided with critical information on the people, organizations and services available to help.”

Since 2025, UN Women, the Zanzibar Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, the European Union Delegation in Tanzania, and Sauti za Busara have organized seven similar initiatives, reaching over 6,000 community members in Unguja, Zanzibar.

By combining culture, youth leadership and direct engagement with service providers, the outreach creates accessible spaces for communities to discuss violence, gender equality and prevention in ways that feel relevant and relatable.

“Our aim is to provide platforms for communities to have these open discussions, question harmful norms and beliefs, and take a more active role in prevention,” says Ms. Lucy Tesha, UN Women Tanzania Programme Specialist on Ending Violence against Women and Girls.

Strengthening VAWG prevention, survivor support and referral services

The initiatives form part of the broader UN Women Ending Violence Against Women and Girls and Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Public Sector project (2022–2028), funded by the European Union. The project addresses violence against women and girls by linking prevention, survivor support, referral systems, justice sector strengthening, public awareness and the use of gender data.

Over the last year, this approach has helped strengthen Zanzibar’s response from policy to community level. The project contributed to the launch of the Zanzibar National Plan of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children 2025–2030 and supported progress toward a standalone GBV law, helping strengthen the legal and policy foundation for coordinated prevention, survivor protection and accountability.

At community level, district and Shehia (Zanzibar administrative wards) coordination structures are helping improve case identification, referrals and local prevention efforts, so survivors and communities are better connected to support.

Support to 42 Police Gender Desks, training for 109 police officers, justice sector tools, and training for 60 paralegals and legal aid providers are also strengthening the capacity of frontline and justice actors to manage cases more effectively, provide survivor-centred support, facilitate referrals and improve access to protection, legal assistance and justice.

Together with the monthly release of GBV statistical bulletins and outreach activities, including those linked with Sauti za Busara, that reached more than 9,000 people across Unguja and Pemba, these efforts are helping ensure that awareness is linked to practical support, stronger referrals and more coordinated action to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls.

Sustaining momentum among youth for ending violence against women and girls

For Ibrahim and Abubudhafa Issa Mohd, another student and planning committee member, the work did not end when the music stopped. Both plan to keep using their voices, networks and platforms to help more young people understand women’s rights, recognize violence and know where support is available.

Ibrahim says the most encouraging sign was seeing her peers share what they had learned on social media, carrying the conversation beyond the festival space and into their own communities.

“It showed that the discussions had an impact beyond the day itself,” she says. “Violence against women is still being justified by some, and this needs to change. We need more education, reflection and discussion to make a lasting difference.”

Mohd says men and boys also have a responsibility to be part of that change.

 “Men need to be on the frontlines of ending violence against women and girls. If we take responsibility, we can be part of the solution to end it.”

As their advocacy continues, Ibrahim and Mohd are showing how youth leadership can turn awareness into action, and strengthen efforts on ending violence against women moving long after the stage lights fade.