Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

City considering publishing names of all married men ‘to protect single women’

'Many women from Dar-es-Salaam region have been deceived many times, and they have had enough,' commissioner says

Tom Embury-Dennis
Wednesday 14 August 2019 11:28 EDT
Comments
Paul Makonda is a fervent Christian and loyal ally of President John Magufuli
Paul Makonda is a fervent Christian and loyal ally of President John Magufuli (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The local government of Tanzania’s biggest city is considering publishing the identities of all married men there in a bid to protect single women from “unnecessary heartbreaks”.

The plan, floated by Dar-es-Salaam's regional commissioner Paul Makonda, would allow women to search an online, state-run public database featuring the name and photo of all the region’s married men.

Mr Makonda said he had received complaints from women who were promised marriage by men who then failed to follow up on the proposal, according to Tanzanian news outlet The Citizen.

“I have received a lot of complaints from young women. Many women from Dar-es-Salaam region have been deceived many times, and they have had enough,” he said on Monday.

“These charming men have been promising to marry them, then ditch the women after using them. This is something that is humiliating.

“These cunning men have left many women nursing heartbreaks and emotional bruises. You’ll find a young man successfully wooing a woman, making her leave every other thing that she does and follows you, hoping that the man will marry her only to realise he is just using her.”

Mr Makonda said the database would include men in Christian, Muslim and customary marriages.

The Citizen reported some men were upset over the plans, as there was no suggestion those taken advantage of by married women would have access to a comparable service.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in