A new initiative to engage fathers in changing attitudes and behaviors toward women and children has Tanzanians taking note. The campaign, known as Baba Bora and Mama Shujaa (“Good Father and Super Woman”), is working to engage men and boys in preventing violence and promoting gender equality in mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.
An initiative coordinated by MenCare Steering Committee member Save the Children, Baba Bora works with men as fathers to transform traditional beliefs and norms in order to promote nonviolence and empower women and girls.
This summer, Save the Children teamed up with Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) to promote the campaign.
As a part of the collaboration, the film festival, which took place in July, launched a photography exhibition highlighting children’s opinions about positive parenting. Prior to the festival, Save the Children and SOS Children’s Villages conducted a workshop for children that asked the question: “What makes a good parent and a father?” The children’s views and opinions informed 12 photographs exhibited at the film festival.
The finale of the film festival also highlighted the Baba Bora and Mama Shujaa campaign themes. During its closing ceremony, religious leaders and government officials participated in a public debate on the importance of positive parenting, which was facilitated by Zanzibar youth and attended by numerous families.
The film festival featured musical performances by Roger Lucas, who performed his popular R&B songs “Baba Bora” and “Mama Shujaa,” and by Zanzibar rapper IT, who performed a song called “Positive Parenting.”
Watch the “Baba Bora” and “Mama Shujaa” music videos encouraging involved fatherhood and positive parenting below:
Save the Children is implementing this campaign jointly with other partner organizations, civil society organizations, and the governments of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar. The campaign is funded through the European Union.