Investing in girls’ education and women’s economic empowerment is critical to tackling child marriage and expanding opportunities for women to participate in leadership and decision-making, African Union Special Envoy for Women, Peace and Security Liberata Mulamula has said.
Mulamula said protecting girls’ rights and giving women greater access to education and economic opportunities could help address barriers that prevent girls from completing school and achieving their ambitions.
She was speaking at The Power Table 2026 forum, held at the South African High Commission in Dar es Salaam under the theme, “The Power of the Girl Child: End Child Marriage, Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
She emphasised the need to strengthen women’s participation in leadership, saying Tanzania had made progress in opening up opportunities for women to occupy positions of responsibility.
Mulamula cited President Samia Suluhu Hassan, Tanzania’s first female Head of State, as an example of women’s ability to lead and contribute to national development.
She said investment in education must go hand in hand with protecting girls’ rights within families and communities to prevent child marriage, which can interrupt schooling and limit girls’ future opportunities.
The issue remains closely linked to efforts to ensure girls can complete their education, develop their potential and participate in the country’s social and economic development.
South African High Commissioner to Tanzania Noluthando Mayende-Malepe said the forum provided a platform to discuss the rights of women and girls, economic empowerment and women’s participation in decision-making, including at family level.
She said advancing women’s development required greater recognition of their rights and opportunities to contribute to decisions affecting their lives and communities.
The forum brought together women to share experiences and ideas on inclusive leadership, with discussions focusing on the importance of ensuring women’s voices are heard in decisions that shape society.
Participants were also encouraged to learn from experienced women leaders, build their leadership skills and use available opportunities to promote positive change.
The discussions highlighted the need to move beyond commitments to gender equality by strengthening access to education, expanding economic opportunities for women and protecting girls from practices that undermine their rights and future prospects.