INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY: ‘Let’s build upright nation’

ARUSHA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has called for joint efforts in raising a morally upright and respectful generation, saying the responsibility is not only on the government but also on parents, religious leaders, teachers and society as a whole.

Speaking during the International Women’s Day celebrations in Arusha yesterday, President Samia said children should be raised with Tanzanian values, discipline and mutual respect.

“We must sit down and raise our children properly, shaping a generation that upholds Tanzanian values and respects one another,” she said.

The president also spoke about the ‘He for She’ movement, urging men to support women in achieving gender equality.

She said men should take a stand against harmful practices such as impregnating young girls or forcing them into marriage, which disrupts their education.

“We must nurture a generation of confident children who can present their arguments based on logic rather than aggression or harsh words. They should understand that the strength of an argument lies in its substance and calm delivery,” she added.She also spoke about gender equality awareness, saying the demand for equal rights is legitimate and backed by Article 12 of Tanzania’s Constitution. She said the country’s efforts must focus on preparing the next generation of boys and girls to embrace inclusivity.

She reaffirmed her commitment to building a Tanzania where discrimination based on religion, region, ideology, ethnicity or gender does not exist.

Looking back at the progress since the 1995 Beijing Conference, she spoke about Tanzania’s achievements in gender equality and the goals for the future. She said the next steps must be more strategic and inclusive to ensure no one is left behind.

As part of global efforts to promote gender equality, Tanzania has been given a leadership role in ensuring economic justice and equality for boys and girls. President Samia said the government has already taken steps at home before pushing for change internationally.

“Tanzania currently has 75 economic empowerment programmes, 63 under the government and 12 in the private sector, providing loans worth over 3tri/- for income generating activities. Of this amount, 1.7tri/-, equivalent to 49 per cent, has been allocated to women across various regions in Tanzania,” she said. The government has also reformed public procurement laws, requiring at least 30 per cent of all tenders to go to special groups, including women.

Looking forward, President Samia said legal and policy reforms are needed to drive meaningful societal change, particularly in women’s land ownership rights. She said that in a gender equal society, both men and women have the right to own land.

The President spoke about improvements in healthcare, particularly in reducing maternal and child mortality rates.

She said Tanzania has made progress since 1995, with maternal deaths dropping from 1,500 per 100,000 live births to 104 per 100,000 today, the country is on track to reach the global target of reducing maternal deaths to 70 per 100,000 by 2030.

President Samia also called on Tanzanians to embrace universal health insurance coverage, which has already passed by the National Assembly.

On education, President Samia said the government efforts have removed gender disparities in school enrolment. She said past practices favoured boys over girls in education, but interventions have ensured equal access to schooling. Recent statistics show that girls slightly outnumber boys in primary and secondary school enrolments.

The Head of State also pointed to the rise of women in leadership, saying that female representation in Parliament and the House of Representatives now stands at no less than 33 per cent.

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The private sector has also stepped in, creating programmes to train women for leadership roles in corporate boards and managerial positions.

President Samia ended her speech by reaffirming her commitment to advancing gender equality, urging Tanzanians to register to vote and take part in strengthening the country’s democracy