Support Services For Women Domestic Violence Survivors In Tanzania: The Case Of Dodoma City Council And Mpwapwa District Council

ABSTRACT 

This study investigated about the availability of support services to the victims of domestic violence in Tanzania. It was guided by a socialist, liberal and empowerment feminist theories. The study employed mixed methods approach though it was dominated by qualitative approach. The study employed crosssectional research design, where samples of 368 respondents were involved in the study through interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions. It involved six wards of Kizota, Chamwino and Chang‟ombe from Dodoma City Council and Mazae, Vingh‟awe and Mpwapwa from Mpwapwa District Council. Data were analyzed using narrative and content analysis for qualitative data. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi Square. The results indicated that victims of the domestic violence exist in both Mpwapwa District Council and Dodoma City Council. The findings indicated that the provision of services for women domestic violence survivors such as marriage advice and reconciliation, temporary shelters, spiritual support and counseling were available in the study area. It was, however, found that services provided to this group were inadequate and mostly uncoordinated, and there were lack of specialists who could help the victims. The findings indicated further that there were problems related to bureaucracy, corruption, delay of cases and poor service provision to the victims. The study is, therefore, recommends for a need for the restructuring of the laws and regulations to allow more access to the support services for the victims of domestic violence.