Govt unveils gender-focused peace, security roadmap

DAR ES SALAAM: DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko on Tuesday reiterated the government’s commitment to advancing gender equality, stressing that women and girls are vital to Tanzania’s nationbuilding agenda.

Speaking during the Peacekeeping Training Centre in Dar es Salaam, Dr Biteko officiated the launch of Tanzania’s first-ever National Action Plan (NAP) on Women, Peace and Security for 2025– 2029. The initiative marks a significant milestone in aligning the country with global frameworks promoting women’s participation in peacebuilding and security matters.

“The government will continue to ensure that every woman and girl in this country is accorded equal rights,” Dr Biteko said.

He added that the implementation of the new plan will help to address gender-based violence, while broadening women’s participation across all levels of leadership and decision-making.

The Deputy Prime Minister urged regional commissioners, ministry officials and other leaders present to take ownership of the plan and drive its implementation at grassroots and national levels.

“Let us all become ambassadors of this plan. Let us read it, understand and apply it to ensure the dignity of women rises even further,” he said.

Dr Biteko also encouraged women to seize economic and social opportunities, noting that empowerment is critical in elevating their role in society. He also commended UN Women for its technical and financial support throughout the process leading up to the plan’s launch.

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“We are grateful to UN Women for walking with us from the beginning to this milestone. We assure you of continued collaboration in advancing peace and security issues,” he added.

Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr Dorthy Gwajima echoed the sentiments, underscoring the plan’s importance for strengthening Tanzania’s role in the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

“We will ensure that every commitment outlined in this plan is executed, so that Tanzania remains a leader in matters of peace and security,” she said.

From Zanzibar, Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elders and Children, Ms Riziki Pembe described the action plan as timely, pledging practical measures to reinforce national security and social protection.

Minister for Defence and National Service, Dr Stergomena Tax said that the launch is a continuation of Tanzania’s longstanding policy of inclusivity in peace and security.

She said her ministry would provide concrete support, including training programmes, to guarantee meaningful participation of women in peace processes.

“Tanzania recognises that sustaining national peace requires full engagement in the Women, Peace and Security agenda for 2025–2029,” Dr Tax explained.

The launch also drew strong international backing with UN Women’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Ms Anna Mutavati, hailing Tanzania’s move as a powerful signal of political will.

She said: “The landmark stands as a powerful message that Tanzania values women’s involvement in peace and security nationwide.” Ms Mutavati noted that UN Women was proud to partner with the government from the initial design of the plan to its official unveiling. “Our collaboration has been seamless and rewarding, and today marks a shared success,” she added.

Ireland’s Ambassador to Tanzania, Nicola Brennan, pledged her country’s continued support for the initiative. She stressed that peace and gender equality are mutually reinforcing, and said Dublin would keep working with Tanzanian ministries to strengthen women’s role in peace and security.

“We will continue to support Tanzania in these efforts, as our goal is to live in peace while advancing gender equality,” Ambassador Brennan said.

The National Action Plan 2025–2029 sets out priorities for addressing gender-based violence, strengthening women’s leadership in conflict resolution, and ensuring that peace and security frameworks integrate gender perspectives.

It also aligns Tanzania with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, which calls for greater inclusion of women in peace and security processes worldwide.