Congressional Visit toTanzaniaMaasai Women Development Organization Arusha, Tanzania February 21, 2004 From left to right: Representatives Jim Kolbe of Arizona, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and Nita Lowey of New York pose with two Maasai elders in Tanzania. The three are garbed in traditional Maasai blankets. (Embassy photo).
On Feb. 21, 2004, three congressional representatives visited the Maasai Women Development Organization, based in Arusha, Tanzania which received $22,500 under the U.S. Embassy's Democracy and Human Rights Fund to conduct legal rights education, human rights training and advocacy skills development programs in Monduli, Simanjaro and Kiteto districts. The objective of the project is to disseminate knowledge of legal rights, legal processes and human rights to empower women of the Maasai community. "Developing advocacy skills…so that women can be recognized and heard will begin the long process of changing attitudes and increasing the status of women," according to U.S. Ambassador Robert V. Royall at the September 24, 2003, ceremony announcing the grant. "Maasai women should have a voice on the issues that affect them, including female genital mutilation, forced marriages, property laws and voting," the envoy said. Released on March 10, 2004 |
 | |||
|
