Every year on March 8, Tanzania joins the rest of the world in marking International Women’s Day, a day set aside to recognize the contributions of women in different areas of development including the economy, society and sports.
In the sports sector, women have continued to demonstrate great ability and determination despite the challenges they have faced for many years.
For a long time, women’s participation in sports remained lower compared to men. This was largely due to social perceptions in some communities that considered sports to be unsuitable for women.
However, as time goes on, this situation has gradually begun to change. More women are now coming forward to take part in different sports and have continued to achieve impressive results in both national and international competitions.
Although the number of women participating in sports is still smaller than that of men, statistics show that female athletes have continued to perform well in several international competitions.
Because of this progress, sports stakeholders believe that Tanzania has a great opportunity to promote its image internationally through the achievements of female athletes, especially if they are given better support and favorable environments to develop their talents.
Over the years, a number of Tanzanian women have left a strong mark in the country’s sports history through their performances in international competitions.
Among them is athlete Theresia Dismas, who once set a remarkable record in the javelin throw during an international competition. The record remains unbeaten to this day.
There are also long-distance runners such as Magdalena Shauri and Zakia Mrisho, who have represented Tanzania well in different international marathon competitions and helped raise the country’s profile in athletics.
In women’s football, Tanzania’s national women’s team, Twiga Stars, has also continued to show progress in international competitions.
The team participated in the finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) held in Morocco in July 2025 and is now preparing for upcoming competitions.
As the country marks International Women’s Day 2026, sports leaders have also highlighted the growing role of women in the development of sports in Tanzania.
The Chairperson of the Public and Private Institutions Sports Federation of Tanzania (SHIMMUTA), Roselyne Massam, says the sports sector in the country has continued to grow and achieve significant progress in recent years.
She explains that these achievements have been supported by the efforts of the government and sports stakeholders, particularly under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan, who has continued to give priority to the development of sports as an important tool for social, economic and health development.
Through different policies, strategies and programs implemented by the government and sports institutions, there has been an increase in public participation in sports, especially among women.
According to Massam, this progress has created new motivation for women to take part in sports not only as athletes but also as leaders, coaches, referees and stakeholders involved in the development of sports in the country.
Despite these improvements, she notes that the number of women in leadership positions within sports institutions remains relatively small.
In many sports federations, associations and committees, most senior leadership positions are still held by men. She therefore stresses the need to increase efforts to encourage women to participate actively in sports leadership.
Massam herself has become an example of women breaking barriers in sports leadership. She made history by becoming the first woman to hold the position of Chairperson of SHIMMUTA, a federation that oversees sports activities for workers in public institutions and private companies across Tanzania.
Her leadership demonstrates the ability of women to perform effectively in top leadership positions in sports and inspires other women to step forward and take decision-making roles in sports federations and associations.
Meanwhile, the government continues to create a supportive environment to increase women’s participation in sports.
Through the National Sports Council (NSC), efforts are ongoing to ensure women are given opportunities to participate fully in sports and sports leadership.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Neema Msitha, has emphasized the importance of recognizing and appreciating the contribution of women in the development of sports in Tanzania.
She noted that women have played an important role in strengthening sports through their participation as athletes, leaders of sports clubs and associations, as well as other stakeholders who contribute to the growth of the sector.
She also called on Tanzanians to continue supporting the development of sports and to appreciate the role of women, who have become an important part of the sector’s achievements.
In general, the sustainable development of sports in Tanzania cannot be achieved without the full participation of women.
It is therefore important for the government, sports institutions and other stakeholders to work together to ensure women are given equal opportunities to participate fully in sports and in leadership positions.
By doing so, Tanzania will continue building a sports sector that promotes gender equality and fully utilizes the potential of women in contributing to national development.
