studies indicate that nearly 3 out of every 10 female and one out of every 7 male reported at least one experience of sexual violence prior to the of 18; and nearly 6% of female have been physically forced to have sexual intercourse before the age of 18. They also indicated that almost three quarter of the children both male and female experienced physical violence prior to age 18; and approximately one quarter of children both male and female experienced emotional violence prior to age 18. 219. As response to addressing the challenges uncovered in the Tanzania VAC Study, both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar prepared their respective National Plans to Prevent and Respond to Violence against Children8283. In Zanzibar the State Party has conducted study on capacity gap of law enforcement agencies and health care institutions in dealing with cases of GBV in 2009 and a study on GBV related laws in 2008 to assess the capacity of law enforcers in dealing with GBV cases and incidences. 220. Programmes to protect women and girl children from harmful practices are implemented in collaboration with partners including UNFPA, TAMWA, CDF and others particularly in areas were FGM and Child Marriage are prevalent. Initiatives in Mara region were FGM, Child Marriage and other harmful practices are evidenced, there have been increased community knowledge on the harm that these practices cause on women and girls. A provision for alternative rites of passage for girls at risk and increasing access to justice has been accorded to. 221. In its bid to strengthen the implementation of provisions relating to sexual offences in 2008-2009 the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania (LRCT)84 commissioned a study to review the efficacy of this law. In its report released in March 200985, the LRCT concluded, inter alia, that the sexual offences laws ‘are still valid and serving the purposes they were intended for despite the fact that some provisions need improvements, harmonization and strengthening’86; and further that law alone ‘cannot solve the sexual offences challenges’; other systems also ‘need to be strengthened and used effectively in the process of addressing sexual offences in the country. 222. Similarly, the State Party, through Zanzibar Law Reform Commission87, has reviewed some laws which affect the development and welfare of women and children. These laws include the Evidence Decree88 and the Kadhi’s Court Act (1985). 223. In order to reinforce these laws, the State Party has been carrying out public awareness-raising campaigns and media programmes to ensure that female genital mutilation is eliminated as well as to enhance a positive and non-stereotypical portrayal of women. The State Party has also complied with the Committee’s request by devising programmes for alternate sources of income for those who perform female genital mutilation (known in Kiswahili as ‘Ngariba’s”) as a means of livelihood. In addition, the State Party has 82 See Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, National Plan to Respond to Violence against Children (2011-2015) Zanzibar: Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, 2011;and Government of Tanzania, National Plan of Action to Prevent and Respond to Violence against Children(2012-2015) Dar es Salaam: Government of Tanzania, 2012. 83 United Republic of Tanzania, Violence Against Children in Tanzania: From Commitments to Action – Key Achievements from the Multi-Sectoral “Priority Responses” to Address Violence against Children (2011-2012) and Priority Activities for 2012-2013, op. cit, p. 1. 84 The LRCT was established under Section of the Law Reform Commission of Tanzania Act (1981), Cap. 171 R.E. 2002. According to Section 4(1) of this law, the LRCT mandate is ‘to take and keep under review all the laws of the United Republic with a view to its systematic development and reform.’ 85 Law Reform Commission of Tanzania, “Report on the Review and Drafting of the Proposed Provisions for the Amendment of the Sexual Offences Laws as Amended by SOSPA 1998” Dar es Salaam: Law Reform Commission of Tanzania, March 2009. 86 Ibid, para 4.1.1. 87 The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar established the Law Reform Commission in 2011. The Commission is chaired by a Judge of the High Court of Zanzibar and has the mandate keeping the laws of Zanzibar under regular review. 88 Cap. 5 of 1917. 62