Outcomes of the Initiatives of Religious Institutions in Reducing Sexual Violence towards Adolescent Girls: An Analytical Study in Manyara Region

This study investigates the outcomes of strategies of religious institutions in fighting sexual violence against adolescent girls in Manyara region, Tanzania. The study used a descriptive research design involving 240 household heads from pastoral communities and 48 key informants who were sampled through purposive and systematic sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaire, in-depth interview, and focus group discussion. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic content analysis while quantitative data were analysed through inferential statistics. Overall, the research found that there is greater awareness about the impact of sexual violence against adolescent girls, increased girls' enrollment in schools, improved health and well-being of adolescent girls and women, and strong collaboration between the government and religious institutions in fighting against the same. While the outcomes are promising, the study recommends that religious institutions direct more of their resources to fight against sexual violence since they are well positioned to fight cultural issues, and at the same time team up with the government which has more resources and enforcement to fast truck the fight against sexual violence towards adolescent girls.