VALERIE NDENEINGO-SIA MSOKA
A results-driven Human Rights advocate
for Women and Children, and a veteran journalist, Valerie N Msoka is the current chairperson of
the Tanzania Ending Child Marriage Network (TECMN).
As one of
the twelve founder members of the of the Tanzania Media Women’s Association
(TAMWA), she has made TAMWA a household name in seeking equality and social
justice for women and children. Her highlights include:
Member of the Constitution Drafting Committee: Lobbied for equality inclusions that are part of
the proposed constitution; the age of the child; the protection of the girl
child and women against harmful traditional practices such as early/forced
marriages and FGM, Women’s rights to land and in leadership.
Led the launch of the ending child
marriage free zone in Tanzania (August 2014) by moderating the event in Dar es
salaam in the presence of government leaders, Graca Machel (the guest of
honour), heads of Missions and UN agencies and programmes. The event was led by
Children’s Dignity Forum, TECMN and UNFPA.
Media Advocacy: Highlighted the importance
of the media in bringing about social change especially on harmful traditional
practices and GBV especially on the girl child.
Has written articles and spoken of the issue on TV and radio as well as
in community radio while visiting the different regions of Tanzania. Trained
journalists on reporting GBV and written a manual on the same as a resource
tool for journalists.
Prior to
taking up her position as Chair of TECMN Valerie has held different positions
in the media including Project Director of Internews Tanzania’s, Deputy Chief of
Public Information for the UN in Iraq, Head of Radio in South Sudan, Producer
for the BBC World News and for BBC Swahili Service. Her career has seen her
reporting from Rwanda, Mozambique, DRCongo, Burundi and Uganda. She began her
career in broadcasting at Radio Tanzania Dar es Salaam. In between her different assignments she had
three children, Bahati, Shangwe and Tuzo.
Valerie’s professionalism,
commitment, integrity and confidence in engaging with people of different
levels in both Kiswahili and English, makes TECMN feel confident that she will successfully
lead it in its advocacy to end child, early, and forced marriage in Tanzania.
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