Legally Unrepresented Women Petitioners in the Lower Courts of Tanzania: a case of justice denied?

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Periodical article

Title:	Legally Unrepresented Women Petitioners in the Lower Courts of Tanzania: a case of justice denied?
Author:	Wanitzek, Ulrike
Year:	1990
Periodical:	Journal of Legal Pluralism and Unofficial Law
Issue:	30-31
Pages:	255-271
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Tanzania
Subjects:	marriage law women law Law, Legal Issues, and Human Rights Status of Women
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/07329113.1990.10756430
Abstract:	This article examines the application of marriage law in Tanzania in cases where women litigants, who are the majority of petitioners in matrimonial cases, are not legally represented. It specifically examines the concept of justice and how it can be used to explain the manner of deciding cases in the lower courts of Tanzania. It shows how informal mediation and arbitration institutions are generally sympathetic to the traditional dominance of men. Therefore, they are unpopular with women as forums in which to claim their rights. The dilemma for women is that the State courts, which should be more reliable in providing protection for women's rights, are in fact not much better than the traditional institutions. Specific problems faced by women petitioners include lack of knowledge of their substantive rights; difficulties in articulating their claims; and ignorance of procedure. Bibliogr., notes.