President Samia Suluhu Hassan emphasized the importance of gender equality during the International Women’s Day celebration on March 8, 2025, marking 30 years since the Beijing Conference. She called for collective efforts to shape a youth that embodies Tanzanian values and respect, while also prioritizing women’s land ownership and universal healthcare. Additionally, Minister Dr. Dorothy Gwajima highlighted initiatives aimed at women’s economic empowerment across the nation, with a focus on legal aid and self-reliance for youth.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has outlined her commitment to enhancing gender equality in Tanzania during the International Women’s Day celebration held on March 8, 2025. Reflecting on the 30 years since the Beijing Conference, she emphasized the importance of fostering youth who instill Tanzanian values and engage in respectful dialogue. This collective effort, she explained, requires involvement from all Tanzanians to nurture a generation dedicated to equality and empowerment.
In her speech, President Hassan acknowledged the progress made in improving women’s rights, notably in increasing their representation in government and the business sector. She asserted, however, that further investment is necessary to cultivate a youth population that not only values equality but also participates actively in meaningful discussions rather than merely voicing opinions.
Moreover, she prioritised land ownership for women, asserting that equal access to land is essential for achieving gender equality. The President also pointed to the government’s advancements in universal health insurance, which aims to ensure all Tanzanians have access to essential health services. She expressed concern over declining moral values among the youth and urged parents to promote principles of self-reliance and social acceptance, devoid of discrimination based on ethnicity or religion.
President Hassan strongly advocated for recognizing gender equality as a constitutional issue, which she described as a fundamental human right. “Our Constitution states that all humans are born free and equal. Granting someone their rights is not about charity or favoritism. We aim to build an inclusive Tanzania,” she asserted.
Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, the Minister for Community Development, Gender, and Special Groups, shared that this year’s theme, “Women and Girls 2025: Strengthening Rights, Equality, and Economic Empowerment,” is focused on promoting women’s economic empowerment nationwide. Celebrations commenced on March 1, 2025, including forums in seven regions, which addressed the challenges faced by various groups of women and aimed to enhance their economic standing.
These forums provided women with platforms to showcase their handmade products and gain insights from successful role models. Dr. Gwajima praised the Samia Legal Aid campaign, which has facilitated legal support for women who have experienced abuse. She reported that the forums have initiated momentum for enhancing economic empowerment avenues for women, including endorsed efforts for education in entrepreneurship.
Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda highlighted the extensive preparation that led to over 400 service booths for education, dispute resolution, and trade at the event. He urged for President Hassan’s assistance in establishing legal aid camps through the Tanganyika Law Society to address the significant legal challenges many citizens face. Makonda underscored the importance of providing stipends for legal professionals to assist those in need of representation, thus aiming to eliminate unresolved cases in the Arusha region by September.
In summary, President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s recent address underscores Tanzania’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of youth. Through initiatives aimed at land ownership, health care access, moral upbringing, and constitutional advocacy for equality, the government seeks to establish an inclusive society. Furthermore, the engagement of women through economic empowerment and legal support reflects a multifaceted approach to support and uphold women’s rights. The call for collective responsibility among citizens remains at the forefront of this transformative agenda for a progressive Tanzania.
Original Source: www.ghanaweb.com
