If Tanzania is to achieve its ambitions for prosperity, resilience and inclusive growth, one fact is impossible to ignore: the country’s future will depend on the full participation and empowerment of its women and girls.Across Tanzania, women and girls are already driving progress. They are farmers sustaining food systems, entrepreneurs expanding markets, teachers shaping the next generation, and community leaders strengthening social cohesion. Their contributions are visible in households, businesses, public institutions and communities across the country.But despite these contributions, too many women and girls still face barriers that limit their opportunities and potential. Removing those barriers is not simply a matter of fairness. It is one of the most powerful ways to accelerate Tanzania’s development.Countries that invest in gender equality build stronger economies, healthier communities and more resilient societies. When women are able to learn, work, lead and participate fully in public life, national productivity rises, poverty falls, and innovation expands. When their rights are limited, societies lose talent, energy and opportunity.Encouragingly, Tanzania has made important progress in advancing gender equality.Women now hold approximately 37 per cent of seats in the National Assembly, reflecting growing participation in national decision-making. The Government has strengthened legal and policy frameworks, expanded access to education and vocational training, advanced gender-responsive budgeting and improved access to legal aid and services for survivors of violence.These achievements demonstrate Tanzania’s commitment to building a more inclusive society.Policy frameworks are helping drive this progress. The National Gender and Women Development Policy promotes gender equality across sectors and strengthens its integration in national planning. The National Plans of Action to End Violence Against Women and Children in both Mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar provide a coordinated approach that connects justice, health, education and community systems to prevent violence and support survivors.Yet significant challenges remain. According to the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey, nearly three in ten women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical or sexual violence. Adolescent birth rates remain high, and female genital mutilation continues in certain regions. These challenges affect girls’ education, women’s health, economic participation and leadership opportunities.Behind these statistics are stories of lost opportunities—girls who leave school too early, women whose economic potential remains untapped, and communities that miss out on the full contribution of half their population.Addressing these challenges requires sustained action. Laws and policies must continue to translate into real change in communities. Public investments must strengthen prevention efforts, legal aid systems and survivor services. Institutions must be responsive and accountable. Data and technology must help guide more effective policies. And communities, including men and boys, traditional and religious leaders, the private sector and the media, must help shift social norms that limit opportunities for women and girls.The United Nations system in Tanzania is proud to work alongside national partners in supporting this effort. Across the country, UN-supported initiatives are helping expand legal aid services, strengthen gender and children’s desks in police stations, support one-stop centres providing integrated services for survivors of violence, and improve data systems that guide responses to gender-based violence.In refugee-hosting areas, integrated protection services are helping ensure women and girls have access to safe spaces and support. In rural communities, programmes that link land rights, economic empowerment and violence prevention are helping women secure land titles, strengthen their livelihoods and participate more actively in local decision-making.These initiatives demonstrate that protecting rights and expanding opportunity go hand in hand. As Tanzania looks ahead to Vision 2050, the country has an opportunity to build a development model that is more inclusive, resilient and future-ready. Achieving that vision will require unlocking the full potential of every Tanzanian.Gender equality is therefore not a separate agenda. It is central to economic transformation, social cohesion and sustainable development.On this International Women’s Day, the United Nations in Tanzania reaffirms its commitment to working hand in hand with the Government, Parliament, the judiciary, civil society, youth and development partners to strengthen systems that protect rights and expand opportunities.Because when women and girls thrive, families prosper, communities grow stronger, and nations move forward.Advancing the rights of women and girls is not only the right thing to do, it is one of the most powerful investments Tanzania can make in achieving the promise of Vision 2050.

Zanzibar - Tanzania. When Zuhra (name changed) was just 17 years old, her future was being decided for her.In her community in Zanzibar, plans were already underway for her marriage. School would end. Childhood would disappear. Like many girls facing child marriage, Zuhra had little power to refuseuntil a single intervention changed everything.Through a Police Gender and Children Desk at Madema in Unguja, supported by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of Finland, in partnership with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, Zuhra found protection, dignity, and most importantly a choice.Responding quickly after Zuhra’s case was identified, trained service providers ensured her immediate protection and opened a formal case ensuring her safety and wishes are at the heart of every decision. The support extended beyond Zuhra herself. Her parents received psychosocial counselling and participated in guided discussions that addressed harmful social norms surrounding child marriage. Through this process, the family made a life-changing decision: the planned marriage was cancelled, the dowry returned, and both parents committed to keeping all their children in school. Freed from the threat of child marriage, Zuhra returned to school with renewed determination. Today, she has completed her secondary education and is pursuing further studies in law. Her dream is to work with women and girls who have experienced gender-based violence and ensure that others facing the same risks she once did are protected.“I want to help girls understand their rights and know that their dreams matter,” Zuhra says.Her journey reflects the impact of Chaguo Langu, Haki Yangu (My Choice, My Right), a programme to strengthen prevention and response to gender-based violence across the United Republic of Tanzania. Through this partnership, more women and girls,including those with disabilities,are gaining access to survivor-centered services and safe spaces where their voices, rights, and choices are respected. “Empowering a girl to realize her dreams is one of the most powerful investments we can make,” says Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative for the United Republic of Tanzania. “With partners like the Government of Finland, we are turning protection into opportunity and ensuring that no girl is left behind.”Zuhra’s father, Zimbwe Msumi (name changed), says the experience transformed his understanding of what it means to protect his daughter.“As a father, I once thought I was protecting my daughter by marrying her at an early age, but I have learned that true protection means listening to her dreams and keeping her in school. My daughter’s right to education is far more valuable than any tradition or dowry. I urge parents across Tanzania to stand up for the rights of the girl child, keep them in school, and support them in achieving their dreams. When we protect our girls, we protect our future.” This International Women’s Day reminds us that when girls are supported to claim their rights and make their own choices, entire communities move closer to equality and justice. Through partnerships that invest in dignity, education, and opportunity, more girls like Zuhra can rewrite their futures and help build a world where all women and girls enjoy rights, equality, and empowerment. 🌍✨

At low tide in Unguja Ukuu, on Zanzibar’s southern coast, Fadhil Haji Juma walks between rows of sea cucumber enclosures, checking the nets that protect his stock. A decade ago, these shallow waters told a different story. Sea cucumbers were abundant in the wild and harvested daily. Today, farming has replaced extraction — offering a more sustainable path for both the ocean and the community that depends on it.Fadhil is among the farmers who witnessed the rapid decline of wild sea cucumber stocks. “Before, they were everywhere,” he says. “But over time, they disappeared completely.” Faced with dwindling catches and unstable income, he began exploring sea cucumber farming — a practice once considered impossible. Learning to farm sustainablyIn the early stages, farming was largely based on guesswork. Juveniles were collected from the sea and placed in enclosures with little guidance on stocking density or growth cycles, often resulting in losses.That began to change through access to technical training and extension support under the Agriculture and Fisheries Development Programme (AFDP), a six-year programme (2021–2027) implemented by the Government of Tanzania with support from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). Through AFDP-supported training in Unguja and Pemba, aquafarmers gained practical skills in managing sea cucumber farms more sustainably.“We learned that overcrowding the farms prevents the sea cucumbers from growing,” Fadhil explains. “When we followed the correct numbers, survival improved.”Guidance from fisheries experts helped farmers apply more structured and environmentally responsible practices, strengthening the viability of sea cucumber farming as a long-term livelihood. Creating jobs and income As Fadhil’s farms expanded, so did the need for labour. What began as an individual effort evolved into a system of shared work, where men and women take on specific tasks — repairing nets, cleaning enclosures, harvesting, and guarding the farms. Each task is paid, creating more predictable income for those involved.“People know that when they come here, there is work,” Fadhil says. “Even when we are waiting for juveniles, the farms still need maintenance.” Women driving daily operationsFor women in Unguja Ukuu, sea cucumber farming has become an important source of income. Husna Busara Hassan, a member of the Stahamili women’s group, says the benefits extend beyond earnings.“We are able to educate our children and improve our homes,” she says. “The income we get from this work is good.” Women play a central role in day-to-day farm activities, including cleaning enclosures and repairing nets. While some tasks, such as night harvesting, are handled by men for safety reasons, women remain key to keeping the farms operational.AFDP places particular emphasis on women and youth participation, reflected in the strong presence of women in aquaculture training and farming activities across Zanzibar. Ongoing challenges and future prospectsDespite progress, challenges remain. The availability of sea cucumber juveniles is a major constraint. Wild collection is unpredictable, while hatchery-produced juveniles — which grow faster — remain limited in supply.Under AFDP, efforts to strengthen access to fingerlings and support aquaculture facilities are helping address this bottleneck, even as demand continues to outpace supply. Farmers also face risks related to theft and the lack of appropriate farming equipment, often relying on repurposed fishing nets that require frequent maintenance.Still, optimism remains. “Sea cucumbers are valuable, and the market is there,” Fadhil says. “With continued support and access to inputs, this work can grow.” A sustainable path forwardSea cucumber farming in Unguja Ukuu shows how local initiative, combined with targeted technical support, can reduce pressure on marine ecosystems while strengthening livelihoods. By improving skills and supporting inclusive participation, AFDP is helping coastal communities move toward more resilient and sustainable futures.

“Access to finance has been a major challenge,” said Kaiser Said Bakar, leader of the ‘Her Njema’ women’s seaweed farming group in Pemba, Zanzibar. “I am confident that if the UN came all this way, they will be able to address some of these challenges.”This optimism reflects the momentum of the joint programme Transforming Seaweed Farming through Integrated Financial Solutions for Enhanced Food Systems in Zanzibar,, supported by the UN Joint SDG Fund under its High-Impact Initiative on SDG Localization. Implemented by FAO (lead agency), UNDP, IFAD and WFP in partnership with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the programme focuses on women and youth in Kaskazini Unguja and Kaskazini Pemba. It aims to help shift seaweed farming from a largely subsistence activity into a more competitive and sustainable economic sector. The Government, Joint Programme Team and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) undertook a joint mission in Unguja and Pemba regions to initiate implementation on the ground. This mainly involved holding inception discussions with regional and district authorities and engaging seaweed farmer groups to introduce the programme, clarify roles and begin profiling cooperatives. This has helped establish an initial picture of previous support, capacity gaps and practical bottlenecks across the value chain.These early discussions reinforced what farmers have long voiced: limited access to finance, inadequate drying and aggregation infrastructure, weak market linkages, and uneven access to technical and business training continue to constrain productivity and incomes.Building on these insights, the UN and the Government have laid a solid foundation to roll out targeted support that will help women-led and youth-led groups become more bankable and strengthen cooperative governance for long-term sustainability.In parallel, the programme will advance structured engagement with public and private financial institutions and government-backed instruments to operationalise affordable, de-risked financing solutions, including credit guarantee schemes, matching funds and other blended approaches tailored to Zanzibar’s context. “Throughout the implementation of this JP, we will be rolling out inclusive blended financing instruments for smallholder farmers that will help to derisk, spread risk and share risk across the seaweed value chain. We will also be integrating insurance products and, altogether, these financial instruments and insurance products aim to attract private investment across the value chain.” - Ms. Leila Kihwele, National Food Systems Specialist, FAO Tanzania, Zanzibar Lisason Office The Joint SDG Fund’s support for this programme has been made possible through contributions from the European Union and the Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and private sector funding partners.This Joint SDG Fund investment is designed to complement and leverage the UN’s broader, Norway-supported Zanzibar Joint Programme, which is already strengthening value chains and livelihoods in the same northern regions, so that productivity, organisation, value addition and finance move forward together, with lasting impact.