The government is stepping up efforts to help women, widows and other vulnerable groups gain greater access to land, property rights, finance and legal support as part of measures to improve their economic independence.
Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Eng Maryprisca Mahundi, said women facing inheritance disputes, abuse and other forms of discrimination would continue to receive legal and social assistance from the government.
She also urged families to stop mistreating widows after the death of their spouses, saying they should instead help them secure their rights and continue participating in economic and community activities.
“Widows should not be subjected to further hardship after losing their spouses. Families should support them to access their rights and continue with activities that contribute to their livelihoods,” Ms Mahundi said.
She was speaking during a visit to women and elderly groups in Ngorongoro District, where she also called for greater awareness of land and property ownership, entrepreneurship and financial management.
The initiatives are particularly significant for women whose livelihoods depend on farming, livestock and small businesses, where limited access to capital and ownership rights can constrain their ability to expand their activities.
Ms Mahundi commended women and widows in Ngorongoro for forming economic and social groups, saying the networks were helping members share opportunities, support each other and access government programmes.
She also urged communities to challenge harmful traditional practices, including female genital mutilation, while calling on parents to take greater responsibility for raising their children.
She said young people who become economically successful should also support their ageing parents rather than leaving the responsibility entirely to the government.
Ngorongoro MP Yannick Ndoinyo said he would work with relevant authorities to address challenges raised by widows and elderly people in the constituency.
He said older people should be supported to remain involved in community development and use their experience to guide younger generations.
Information presented by widows during the visit showed that some had joined groups engaged in small businesses, livestock keeping, farming and tailoring.
The groups have also started accessing government loans, which members said were helping them strengthen their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
The visit included the Tupendane Loliondo Group, the WASSO Elderly Project and the Naretu Sukenya Group, among other women and elderly empowerment initiatives.