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The Director of Guta Development Group, Semeni Gango, has highlighted the remarkable progress that women’s groups have made in driving the country’s economic growth.
Speaking during a panel discussion held at Ubungo Plaza in Dar es Salaam recently, Gango emphasized the critical need for the government to prioritize educating women in rural areas to bridge the economic gap between urban and rural communities.
“I urge the government to support women in rural areas, especially in education, because they deserve equal economic opportunities just like their urban counterparts,” said Semeni Gango.
Drawing from her years of experience working with grassroots communities across the country, she pointed out that the lack of financial literacy and access to information remains a significant barrier preventing many women in villages from actively participating in economic ventures like savings groups and community-based financing models.
The panel discussion brought together experts from various sectors, including economics, information technology, and social development, to explore how marginalized groups—particularly women and people with disabilities—can access opportunities provided by development institutions and regulatory bodies such as the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA).
Gango passionately highlighted the stark contrast between urban and rural development, noting that women in cities often enjoy more consistent access to financial services, training programs, and business networks, leaving their rural counterparts behind.
“Urban women have more sustainable opportunities at their disposal, while those in villages are often overlooked. This disparity makes development more visible in cities while rural areas continue to lag,” she explained.
Her remarks echoed sentiments recently expressed by Minister Kabudi, who, in his speech the previous day, underscored the importance of disseminating information and education to accelerate rural development—a key priority of President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s administration since she took office in 2021.
The discussion stirred inspiration among attendees, particularly women from vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, who voiced their aspirations to become active players in the country’s economy.
The seminar, officiated by Minister Kitila Mkumbo, was organized under the supervision of the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner’s office, marking a significant step toward fostering inclusive economic empowerment and ensuring that no one is left behind in the nation’s development journey.