Tanzania’s government has reiterated its commitment to advancing gender equality as a central pillar of national development, according to Dr. John Jingu, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups.
Speaking in the capital Dodoma during a meeting with UN Women’s Country Representative, Ms. Hodan Addou, Dr. Jingu said the administration of President Samia Suluhu Hassan has integrated gender considerations across all sectors, with deliberate efforts aimed at empowering women and addressing gender-based disparities.
“The Government continues to implement a range of initiatives to awaken public consciousness and eliminate gender-based violence, which remains a serious obstacle to inclusive development,” said Dr. Jingu.
One such initiative is the Amsha Ari (“Awaken the Spirit”) campaign, which spans all regions of the country and seeks to raise awareness on social and economic development issues, with a strong focus on women’s economic empowerment.
Dr. Jingu commended UN Women for its ongoing support in promoting gender equality and urged the organisation to intensify its engagement in national campaigns such as Amsha Ari, which he described as critical to driving mindset change and advancing equality.
In response, Ms. Addou reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting the Tanzanian Government’s efforts to combat gender-based violence and promote equitable opportunities for all.
“Tanzania has made important strides, and we remain a committed partner in furthering the progress toward a just and gender-equal society,” she said.
The meeting marks continued collaboration between the Tanzanian Government and international development partners in addressing systemic gender inequalities and promoting sustainable development.