Heighten efforts to ensure rights of women

In developed and underdeveloped economies the rights of girls such as school enrolment have been growing. But, there is an urgency to narrow down the existing gender gaps.

For instance, almost everywhere across the world, a large number of women earn less than men. Moreover, they have less opportunities to shape their lives and make decisions than men.

Taking into account the historical legacy of inequality and discrimination against women, the government has introduced legislative and institutional measures to redress that legacy.

Legal frameworks such as the 50/50 in the Constitution Review Process clearly state that in the enjoyment of rights and protections provided for women, women shall have equal rights with men.

Plus, women have equal rights with men in marriage as prescribed by the Constitution Review Process .

The purpose of such measures is to provide special attention to women so as to enable them to compete and participate on the basis of equality with men in political, social and economic life as well as in public and private institutions.

Indeed, the nation has recorded various victories in terms of ensuring gender equality. It is clear that one of the reasons for the establishment of the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children and other institutions is to ensure the respect of the rights and benefits of these section of societies realized.

Tanzania has marked significant change in primary school enrolment while improvement has been registered in secondary and higher education in terms of increasing the number of model girls.

All these are commendable achievements and reflect the political commitment of the government in actual implementation of gender and social development programmes in all sectors to ensure the empowerment of women.

It is true that despite many successes in women empowerment, there are still issues to be addressed in all areas of life, ranging from the cultural, political to the economic ones.

The justice system should be accelerated, the ownership of land, any kind of property possession which will approved by Constitution Review Process should be well applied. All stakeholders should work earnestly to the jurisprudence of rights because it is the base for the development of the nation.

Learning institutions should work focusing on increasing school enrolment rate of women and girls with a view to meeting UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) in this regard.

The leadership and the women themselves should further strengthen their efforts to meet the goals in line with the nation vision. Civil societies and stakeholders across the board are also duty-bound to ensure women's rights are respected and exercised.