Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, has called for strengthened cooperation to promote gender equality during the 6th High-Level Meeting on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), held on December 9–10, 2025, at the International School of Diplomacy in Tunis, Tunisia.
Dr. Gwajima praised the African Union, through the Office of the AU Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, and the Tunisian government for organizing a forum she described as “crucial for advancing the role of women in peace and security.”
At the expert panel discussions, she highlighted how technology and artificial intelligence can empower communities by raising awareness on gender-based violence and promoting messages that discourage such acts.
She also outlined Tanzania’s progress, including the launch of the first National Plan on Women, Peace and Security (TNAP), reforms such as the 2024 Election Law, and increased representation of women in decision-making roles.
Dr. Gwajima noted the government’s efforts to economically empower women through council-level 10 percent loan allocations and national initiatives to fight gender-based violence.
“The meeting is a vital platform to assess WPS achievements, identify challenges, and develop strategies to strengthen implementation across Africa,” she said.
Despite these gains, Dr. Gwajima acknowledged ongoing barriers, including restrictive cultural norms, economic challenges, and hurdles for women aspiring to leadership positions.
She stressed that effective WPS implementation requires collaboration among governments, civil society, development partners, and regional institutions.
She also warned about rising online gender-based violence, pointing out that social media has been used to spread false videos, hate speech, threats, and harassment targeting women, which undermines their participation in leadership and politics.
Dr. Gwajima called on all stakeholders to actively promote safe use of digital platforms to protect women, girls, and the wider community.