abduction is illegal. Abduction charges can be filed against any person who unlawfully takes a woman with intent to marry (or cause her to be married) or to have sexual intercourse (or cause her to have sexual intercourse with another person) and detains her against her will. A person who takes an unmarried girl under sixteen against her will out of the protection of her parents or a guardian may also be accused of abduction Protection against Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Article 21 There are a number of harmful traditional practices still prevailing in Tanzania. These include arranged, early and forced marriages; the paying of a ‘bride price’; female genital cutting, and cultural initiations such as Ngoma Ndogo and Jando na Unyago which encourage early sexual activity. 64 The Government has attempted to promote positive cultural values and tradition through appropriate policy and legislation. NGOs have also contributed significantly in this area through research, awareness campaigns and lobbying to sensitize not only the general public but also policy makers on harmful traditional practices. One of MKUKUTA’s strategies is to identify, review and advocate against cultural practices and laws for example, those which deny women and young people access to productive and financial assets including inheritance and personal property. FGM/C - In 1998 the Government criminalized FGM/C for girls under eighteen years of age. Despite this, the practice continues and is widespread in some areas. According to the Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey (2004/05), female genital mutilation and cutting dropped only slightly between 1999 and 2004/5, from 18 to 15 per cent with the 64 The latter are ceremonies attended by young boys and girls (aged between 8-12 years) which encourage sexual activities including group sex. Ceremonies such as these put children at risk of sexually transmitted infections and result in girls dropping out of school due to pregnancy or early marriage. 70