Zanzibar Reaffirms Commitment to Women’s Empowerment

Zanzibar’s Commitment to Women Empowerment Remains Firm

 Zanzibar March 8, 2025

In a strong affirmation of his administration’s commitment to empowering women, President Hussein Mwinyi has assured the public that the Zanzibar government will continue its relentless efforts to provide women with equal economic opportunities through comprehensive policies and empowerment programs.

Addressing the crowd during the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations in Nyamanzi, Unguja West B District on March 6, President Mwinyi reaffirmed the government’s ongoing work towards enhancing women’s economic inclusion, a key focus of his leadership.

Though the official observance of International Women’s Day falls on March 8, Zanzibar marked the occasion early due to the president’s national commitments. In his remarks, Dr Mwinyi highlighted the achievements of the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency (ZEEA), sharing that 34,746 individuals had benefitted from the initiative, with women making up 51.2 percent of the recipients, totaling 17,811 women.

“The government, through the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Agency, had facilitated loans amounting to 34.9 billion Tanzanian shillings by December 2024, with 60 percent of that, or 21 billion shillings, being allocated specifically for women,” he stated.

The president described International Women’s Day as a vital occasion to celebrate the invaluable role women play in the development of society, the economy, and national governance. He further stressed the importance of recognizing the challenges that women continue to face, such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and unequal opportunities.

“This day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made in achieving gender equality, acknowledge the challenges that still exist, and inspire collective action to overcome these issues,” said President Mwinyi.

He emphasized that empowering women is crucial to ensuring their active participation in all sectors of the economy. "Economic empowerment for women means opening doors to opportunities that promote self-sufficiency and development, offering protection from financial dependency," he explained.

To further accelerate women’s empowerment, Dr Mwinyi outlined several key areas of focus. These included bolstering women’s empowerment platforms at regional, district, and grassroots levels, establishing structured leadership and management systems for these platforms, and creating operational guidelines to fully utilize available opportunities for women.

The president also directed the Second Vice-President’s Office, in collaboration with relevant ministries and government agencies, to enhance the effectiveness of these empowerment platforms to ensure tangible outcomes.

"All relevant institutions must cooperate with the government to ensure the success of women’s empowerment initiatives," he urged.

During the event, Zanzibar's Second Vice-President, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, lauded women for their tireless advocacy for their rights. The Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Ms. Riziki Pembe Juma, expressed gratitude to the various organizations, including international bodies, for their continued support in the celebration of women’s achievements.

Minister Juma also encouraged women to seize emerging economic and political opportunities, noting that under the leadership of President Samia Suluhu Hassan and President Mwinyi, more avenues are opening for women to thrive and succeed.