TAWLA marks 35 years of defending rights of girls, women in Tanzania

AS the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA) commemorates its 35th anniversary, the organisation reflects on decades of progress and impact in advancing the rights of women and girls across the country.

Since its founding in 1989 and official registration in 1990, TAWLA has stood as a central force in the struggle for gender equality, legal empowerment and the promotion of justice in Tanzania.

TAWLA Executive Director, Ms Tike Mwambipile said the milestone marks a long journey of transformation, in which women and girls once overlooked by the legal system are now equipped with knowledge, tools and platforms to demand their rights.

She emphasised that the organisation’s commitment has been unwavering, especially in delivering legal aid, influencing national policies and addressing discriminatory laws.

Over the years, TAWLA has expanded its operations into six regions Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Dodoma, Tanga, Mbeya and Arusha, reaching more than 7 million Tanzanians with legal counselling, court representation and public legal education.

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These efforts have significantly contributed to improving public understanding of human rights and reducing incidents of gender-based violence. One of the organisation’s defining contributions is its work in land rights, especially for women in rural areas.

Through collaboration with stakeholders and international partners, TAWLA has trained communities and facilitated the enactment of gender-sensitive by-laws in 178 villages across several regions, including Tanga, Arusha, Njombe, Pwani, Morogoro, Kilimanjaro and Mbeya.

As a result, nearly 400 women have received customary title deeds and 51 women have secured formal land titles, a remarkable shift in land governance and inclusion.

“TAWLA has also played a key role in national legal reform processes, including contributing to the development of the 1995 National Land Policy and the 1999 Land Acts No 4 and 5,” said Ms Mwambipile.

She said other legislative milestones include input into the Law of the Child Act (2009), amendments to the Penal Code and reforms to inheritance and marriage laws. Ms Mwambipile explained that these efforts were not only about drafting laws but ensuring they are gender-responsive, inclusive and capable of protecting vulnerable populations, especially women and children.

The association’s advocacy has extended to regional platforms, where it has taken an active role in addressing harmful practices such as child marriage. TAWLA was part of the landmark legal case that challenged Sections 13 and 17 of the Law of Marriage Act, which allowed girls as young as 14 to be married.

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TAWLA’s Head of Programmes, Ms Mary Richard, explained that despite the progress made in enabling girls who became pregnant to return to school, there are still significant challenges in implementing the policy.

She emphasised that the education circular, which allows girls who dropped out due to pregnancy to resume their studies, should be given legal backing. She said that currently, some areas within the education sector still fail to recognise the importance of this circular, which hinders its effective implementation.

According to her, establishing a legal foundation would compel consistent enforcement and ensure that every girl has the right to education without discrimination or stigma.

Ms Mwambipile said that beyond courtrooms and policy forums, TAWLA has worked tirelessly to build the leadership capacity of women. Through training in civic engagement, human rights and political participation, over 500 women have been equipped to contest for leadership positions from local councils to national assemblies.

“These programmes have strengthened women’s voices and presence in decision-making spaces, which is essential for sustainable gender equality,” she added.

The association’s work has thrived due to strong partnerships with civil society, government bodies, international donors and advocacy networks. Collaborations with organisations like Equality Now have bolstered national campaigns against child marriage and supported the education of young mothers.

These alliances have also helped reduce stigma and create pathways for teenage mothers to return to school. As part of the 35th anniversary celebrations, TAWLA has initiated a series of events that reflect its multi-dimensional approach to justice and well-being.

Ms Mwambipile said that the recent opening of a new TAWLA office in Ilazo, Dodoma, demonstrates the organisation’s commitment to bringing legal aid closer to communities that need it most.

A community fitness walk held earlier in May symbolised the organisation’s growing recognition of health and wellness as human rights issues, with a focus on the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in women and girls.

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The anniversary will be highlighted by a major symposium to be held on 22–23 May 2025 in Dar es Salaam, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society leaders, international partners and the media. Key topics to be discussed include women’s land ownership, access to justice, the impact of child marriage, education for young mothers and strategies to address non-communicable diseases.

The symposium would serve both as a reflective space and a forward-looking platform to map out collaborative strategies for the next generation of gender equality work in Tanzania. In preserving the legacy of its work, TAWLA is set to launch two publications.

The first is a commemorative book documenting the organisation’s 35-year journey, while the second volume will profile landmark legal cases that have shaped the rights of women and girls.

These books aim to serve as vital references for academics, legal professionals and activists working in gender justice. TAWLA’s involvement in national networks such as TECMIN and the National Network to End Child Marriage illustrates its dedication to ensuring that girls’ rights remain central to Tanzania’s development agenda.

Ms Mwambipile reiterated that while many victories have been won, the fight is far from over. TAWLA remains committed to strengthening legal systems, enforcing court rulings and pushing for inclusive policies that reflect the lived realities of women and girls.

As it marks 35 years of service, TAWLA stands as a beacon of hope, resilience and justice. The journey has been long, but the vision remains clear: a Tanzania where every woman and girl lives with dignity, freedom and equal rights under the law.