Dr. Mwinyi Promotes Women's Empowerment Ahead of Elections

Zanzibar President Urges Women’s Active Role in 2025 Elections

Friday, March 7, 2025

In a speech marking International Women’s Day on March 6, 2025, in Nyamanzi, Unguja, Zanzibar President Dr. Hussein Mwinyi called for increased women's involvement in the upcoming general elections and emphasized the importance of empowering women in all aspects of society.

Zanzibar and Tanzania are set to hold elections in October 2025, where citizens will vote for leaders at various levels, including the Union President, Zanzibar President, Members of Parliament (MPs), House of Representatives, and councilors.

Dr. Mwinyi reaffirmed his government's dedication to creating opportunities for women to participate in all spheres, including politics and the economy. He stressed that gender equality is not just a matter of equal rights but also of enabling women to play an active role in shaping their future through increased involvement in decision-making processes.

“Women should be encouraged to take part in the political process and contest for leadership positions, particularly in decision-making bodies,” Dr. Mwinyi stated during the event. He noted that the government had been at the forefront of implementing policies and programs to ensure women had equal access to economic opportunities.

At the event, new economic empowerment platforms for women were launched, alongside a national action plan to combat the abuse of women and children in Zanzibar. Dr. Mwinyi stated that the true empowerment of women goes beyond policies and involves practical steps, such as economic participation, reducing dependency, and protecting women from abuse.

Currently, Zanzibar has just one female regional commissioner out of five regions and two female district commissioners out of 11 districts. Dr. Mwinyi noted that with the capabilities of women, there should be no reason why they cannot take up these leadership roles. He urged women to perform excellently when given the opportunity to serve.

While Zanzibar’s political structure remains male-dominated, the government is focused on improving women’s representation. Dr. Mwinyi highlighted that women had already been instrumental in various sectors, and his government will continue to provide opportunities for women to compete for leadership and operational roles.

To support this push, Dr. Mwinyi outlined key areas of focus, such as strengthening empowerment platforms at all levels—from Shehia to regional levels. He emphasized the importance of creating a robust monitoring system for these platforms, ensuring leaders at each level clearly understand their roles and responsibilities. He directed the Second Vice President’s Office and other relevant ministries to work collaboratively in establishing a system that would maximize the effectiveness of these platforms.

The theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, focusing on the role of women and girls as drivers of development, aligns closely with Zanzibar’s broader goals to uplift and empower women and children. Through the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA), over 34,000 citizens have benefited from empowerment programs, with women making up 51.2% of the total beneficiaries.

ZEEA has disbursed Sh34.9 billion in loans, with women receiving 60% of this amount. Mr. Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, the custodian of the empowerment platforms and the Second Vice President of Zanzibar, stressed the importance of unity and collective action among women to ensure the success of these initiatives.

Riziki Pembe Juma, the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, also emphasized the need for continued collaboration with both local and international stakeholders to achieve the goals for women in Zanzibar. Despite representing over half of the population, women still face significant challenges in political, economic, and social spheres. Ms. Abeda Rashid Abdallah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, called on society to prioritize and value women, helping them realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to Zanzibar’s development.