Chairperson of the National Committee for Gender Equality Implementation Ms. Anjellah Jasmin Kairuki, speaking at the meeting.
By Adonis Byemelwa
Arusha: Vice Chancellors of universities across Tanzania have committed to supporting national efforts aimed at fostering gender equality and building an inclusive future. This pledge came during a high-level conference held on October 8, 2024, in Dar es Salaam, where university leaders and representatives discussed strategies with the Ministry of Education and the National Platform for Gender Equality (GEF) to align university programs with initiatives that promote women's economic empowerment.
The meeting is part of an ongoing series aimed at enhancing understanding and implementing Tanzania's international commitments made in 2021. Participants included representatives from non-governmental organizations, civil society, the private sector, and a national network of innovation hubs.
During the discussions focused on strengthening academia's role in accelerating awareness and execution of GEF’s commitments, Chairperson of the National Committee for Gender Equality Implementation, Hon. Anjelah Jasmin Kairuki, emphasized the vital role universities play in promoting gender parity through research that influences policy and enhances women's economic opportunities.
Kairuki highlighted the successes of the Women's Economic Empowerment Center at the University of Kenya, which has effectively provided evidence and spearheaded advocacy efforts leading to significant advancements in women's empowerment.
“We believe that our universities in Tanzania can learn and develop robust empowerment strategies tailored to our context. The academic community has a crucial role in shaping the thoughts of future leaders, conducting meaningful research, and creating innovative platforms. When academic strength is applied to the realities of our society, it yields positive outcomes,” she said.
Study says female-led research projects have surged from 12.6% between 2011 and 2015 to 50% from 2021 to 2024, according to the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology. Photo: Courtesy.
Established in 2021 following 25 years of the Beijing Platform for Action, the Gender Equality Platform (GEF) ensures full implementation of gender equality goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) endorsed by the Tanzanian government and other international entities. Tanzania has made remarkable strides in reducing gender disparities in primary and secondary school enrollment, as well as increasing female enrollment in higher education institutions. However, women's participation in research leadership and science and technology remains disproportionately low.
Felister Mdemu, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women, Children, and Special Groups, noted that the Gender Equality Program continues the legacy of the 1995 Beijing Declaration, aiming to galvanize communities toward achieving the set objectives.
“I believe that with collaboration, we can fulfill our national commitments under this platform while enabling President Samia Suluhu Hassan, a leader in this initiative, to continue to shine,” she added.
Representatives from Kenyatta University and the University of Nairobi shared their successes during the conference. Key areas for universities to invest in women's economic empowerment include designing gender-sensitive training within curricula, developing academic support programs for female students to prepare them for leadership roles and entering various industries, as well as establishing scholarships and training programs in STEM fields.
The push for gender equality within higher education institutions builds on existing successes, including a decrease in gender gaps in enrollment. Notably, female-led research projects have surged from 12.6% between 2011 and 2015 to 50% from 2021 to 2024, according to the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology.
Given these achievements, universities are expected to integrate GEF goals into their academic and research activities, advance a cooperative execution plan for gender-sensitive innovation hubs, and strengthen partnerships with stakeholders promoting gender equality.
In December 2021, President Samia Suluhu Hassan established a National Advisory Committee to guide the implementation of Tanzania’s Gender Equality commitments, comprising 25 prominent leaders (predominantly women) from various sectors across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar, driving forward our commitments to gender equality.
By 2026, Tanzania aims to increase investments in gender-sensitive services, create supportive legal frameworks and policies, enhance resource access for women, and develop economic policies to alleviate poverty among women and girls. This comprehensive approach promises transformative advancements for gender equality