The 2nd Annual Anti-Gender Based Violence Awards, held on December 3rd, 2022, brought together the Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association and UNDP to celebrate the 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence. The event aimed to recognise and support champions who are working towards ending gender-based violence (GBV) in Tanzania.

At the ceremony, UNDP was recognised with an award for its continuous efforts to end GBV, along with other development partners. This award serves as an affirmation of the UNDP's dedication to promoting gender equality and human rights, as well as a reminder of the critical role that legal empowerment and access to justice play in creating sustainable development.

Legal empowerment is a process that ensures individuals and communities have access to legal knowledge, services, and institutions. This is a critical component of sustainable development, as it helps to ensure that the rule of law is respected and human rights are protected. In Tanzania, where GBV remains a significant challenge, legal empowerment is crucial in helping survivors of GBV access justice.

Access to justice is equally important in promoting sustainable development, as it enables individuals and communities to use the justice system to resolve disputes and seek remedies when their rights are violated. This is essential in ensuring that human rights are protected and perpetrators of GBV are held accountable for their actions.

The recognition of champions working towards ending GBV is a crucial step in promoting legal empowerment and access to justice in Tanzania. It encourages and motivates individuals and organisations to continue their efforts in advancing gender equality and human rights.

The 2nd Annual Anti-Gender Violence Awards was an important event that highlighted the critical role of legal empowerment and access to justice in creating sustainable development in Tanzania. The recognition of champions working towards ending GBV is an affirmation of the importance of these principles in promoting gender equality and human rights. UNDP continues to support and advocate for legal empowerment and access to justice in Tanzania and beyond, to create a world where human rights are respected and protected.