RC Remarks International Women's Day 2025

Theme: "For All Women and Girls: Let’s Strengthen Rights, Equality, Empowerment"

• Your Excellency, Samia Suluhu Hassan, President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
• Honorable Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups.
• Members of Parliament, Government Officials, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Habari za asubuhi. 

Wanawake Oyeeee! 

Wanawake Safiiii!  

Today, we celebrate International Women’s Day, a moment to reflect on the incredible strength, achievements, and resilience of women and girls across Tanzania and the world.

This year’s celebration carries even greater significance as we mark 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action—a landmark commitment that boldly declared: Women’s rights are human rights. Three decades later, we stand here today to honor the progress made - and to reaffirm our dedication to the journey ahead.

Tanzania has made remarkable strides in gender equality and women’s empowerment. 

• Legal reforms are strengthening women’s rights across sectors.
• Economic empowerment initiatives are driving women's entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and independence.
• Increased awareness of and protection against gender-based violence and harmful practices, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation, are contributing to safer communities.
• Education access has expanded, ensuring a safer and more gender-responsive school environment; and
• Maternal health outcomes are improving, with better access to life-saving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services.
• Furthermore, Tanzania is one of only two African nations led by a female Head of State, with women’s representation steadily increasing in decision-making, setting an example for inclusive leadership. 

I take this opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency, President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and the Government of Tanzania for your unwavering commitment to women’s rights through groundbreaking and transformative initiatives that stand to benefit millions of women and girls, such as the Clean Cooking Initiative, Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, and Generation Equality. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

While we celebrate progress, the reality remains stark. Global statistics reveal that at the current pace, it will take nearly 40 years before women hold equal seats in parliaments worldwide,  68 years to end child marriage, and 137 years to bring an end to extreme poverty for women and girls.

If we are to meet the commitments of the Beijing Declaration and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, enhanced efforts are required. 

We cannot wait that long. The time to act is now.

Gender equality is central to the three pillars of the United Nations: peace and security, human rights, and development.

In Tanzania, we are working alongside the Government, civil society, and development partners to: 

• Increase investments in women and girls across sectors.
• Strengthen legal protections and access to justice.
• Expand economic opportunities, ensuring equal pay and financial inclusion.
• Ensure access to education, leadership roles, and a life free from violence and discrimination; and
• Challenge and transform harmful social norms and practices that continue to limit women’s and girls’ potential. 

These efforts are producing tangible results. For example, between 2023 and 2024 the United Nations:

• Trained over 63,000 women smallholder farmers in climate-smart agriculture, helping them boost productivity and increase their income.
• Empowered over 2,000 women entrepreneurs to expand their businesses and enhance financial independence, supported with training, mentorship, and access to finance.
• Provided 256,000 women and children at risk of or surviving gender-based violence with protection and support services.
• Engaged over 1 million people in communities, including in refugee settings, to challenge harmful gender norms and mobilize for GBV prevention and gender equality.
• Trained over  2,000 women in transformational leadership,  preparing them for leadership and decision-making roles at all levels.
• Contributed to a decline in new HIV infections, improving health outcomes for women and girls.
• Provided support for young women to enter STEM fields, particularly in sustainable energy engineering, through scholarship programs aimed at increasing their participation and leadership in the energy sector.

These are not just numbers—they represent real lives transformed. Real dreams realized.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.

Our work is far from over.

The United Nations in Tanzania remains steadfast in its commitment to partnering with all stakeholders—government, civil society, the private sector, and communities—to ensure equal opportunities for everyone to succeed, lead, and shape the future. Because when women rise, nations rise.

On this International Women’s Day and beyond, let us reaffirm our commitment to building a future where rights, equality, and empowerment are truly a reality for every woman and girl.

Kwa pamoja, tunaweza kuimarisha haki, usawa na uwezeshaji kwa kila mwanamke, kila msichana, na kila Mtanzania. (Together, we can strengthen rights, equality, and empowerment for every woman, every girl, and every Tanzanian).

Asanteni sana.