Salome Joseph Mbatia was a CCM Member of Parliament in the Tanzanian National Assembly and former cabinet Minister.
[1] In August 2001, while a Member of Parliament, Mbatia spoke out to news outlets about the ongoing practice of female genital mutilation in Tanzania.
According to her, while most traditional practices were no longer in operation, female genital mutilation was still occurring in hospitals, and efforts by the government should be directed to end it.
[2] Later that year, in September, Mbatia took part in the 2001 Global Summit of Women in Hong Kong, China.
Her body was flown to the Julius Nyerere International Airport the day after for a reception from other ministers and government officials, including Vice President Ali Shein, Prime Minister Edward Lowassa, and Speaker of Parliament Samuel Sitta.