MODESTA JOSEPH

TANZANIA, 22

Project: Our Voices Against Harassment
Pronouns: She/Her

Passionate about social change, gender equality, and women empowerment, Modesta is the Founder of Our Voices Against Harassment (OVAH), a non-profit in Tanzania dedicated to tackling sexual harassment and establishing a gender-just and violence-free nation. They provide a reporting platform for children, youths, and women who have experienced sexual violence to report and receive the necessary support, such as psychological and legal assistance. 

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How is OVAH addressing the widespread issue of gender and sexual violence? 

OVAH addresses injustices by raising awareness about sexual violence, discouraging gender and social norms that promote female inferiority, and involving the justice systems in holding perpetrators accountable. We conduct sexual violence awareness and prevention workshop in secondary schools and encourage the victims to speak up through our web reporting platform. We also connect victims with psychologists and legal practitioners. OVAH also creates and airs an animation called “Mwajuma Simama” which aims at raising awareness and initiating conversations around sexual violence, and encouraging the victims to speak up about these incidents. 

“I believe in a world free of sexual harassment and violence, and I believe that with the right efforts, stakeholders, and commitment, we will be able to get closer to that world.”

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