President Samia Suluhu Hassan said after 30 years of progress in advancing women’s rights since the Beijing Conference, the current focus is on strengthening gender equality to ensure young people uphold Tanzanian values and mutual respect.
She highlighted that fostering a generation based on equality requires collective efforts from all Tanzanians to nurture youth who embrace national values, including the ability to engage in constructive discussions.
“I have attended various women’s platforms, seen much, and heard even more. The sustainability of women’s empowerment efforts depends on today’s generation of boys and girls. We have the responsibility to nurture a generation that upholds respect and embraces gender equality,” she said.
President Hassan made the remarks on Saturday, March 8, 2025, during the national commemoration of International Women’s Day, at Sheikh Amri Abeid Stadium, in Arusha, themed: Accelerating Action.
“Thirty years after the Beijing Conference, Tanzania has made great strides in uplifting women, including increasing their representation in government and the private sector,” she said.
“However, we now need to invest in a generation that truly embraces equality. We want young people who can engage in meaningful dialogue, not just raise their voices,” she added.
In her ongoing efforts to promote women’s rights, President Hassan emphasised the prioritisation of land ownership to ensure women in an equal society can own land.
On healthcare, she noted that the government is advancing universal health insurance to guarantee all Tanzanians access to healthcare services.
The President also expressed concern about the decline in moral values among the youth.
She called for more attention to raising children to be self-reliant and to embrace socially acceptable values, free from discrimination based on region, ethnicity, or religion.
Furthermore, she stressed that gender equality should be viewed as a constitutional issue, not an individual concern.
“Our Constitution states that all humans are born free and equal. Granting someone their rights is not about charity or favouritism. We aim to build an inclusive Tanzania,” she remarked.
Minister for Community Development, Gender, and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, said this year’s theme: Women and Girls 2025: Strengthening Rights, Equality, and Economic Empowerment – focuses on advancing women’s economic empowerment across the country.
Celebrations, which began on March 1, 2025, included a series of forums held in seven regions.
Dr Gwajima explained that each forum addressed issues pertinent to different groups of women, focusing on overcoming challenges and empowering them economically in their respective communities.
“As part of these celebrations, we’ve created platforms where women can showcase and sell their handmade products. Additionally, they’ve had opportunities to hear from successful women, gaining insights into their journeys and learning actionable steps toward success,” she said.
She also highlighted the Samia Legal Aid campaign, which has helped women victims of abuse receive legal assistance.
“Many individuals have found relief, with their grievances addressed, with the support of the Minister for Constitution and Legal Affairs, Dr Damas Ndumbaro,” she added.
Dr Gwajima emphasised that the forums had sparked momentum for establishing and strengthening economic empowerment platforms for women.
“I’ve endorsed committees supporting women’s education, especially in entrepreneurship, to ensure the success of this initiative, in collaboration with the private sector, as directed by the President,” she insisted.
Earlier, Arusha Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda noted that preparations for the event brought together over 400 booths offering services such as education, dispute resolution, and trade.
He urged President Hassan to support the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS) in establishing legal aid camps across the Arusha region.
Mr Makonda highlighted the need for legal assistance for citizens facing unresolved cases due to a lack of legal knowledge or resources to hire lawyers.
“I’ve realised that many people face serious legal challenges such as lack of awareness and cannot afford legal representation,” he said.
“I appeal to you, Madam President, to provide a stipend for legal professionals to assist. If successful, I am confident that by September there will be no unresolved disputes in Arusha,” he added.