A passionate call to dismantle systemic barriers facing Tanzania’s women and girls dominated a landmark high level policy dialogue held in Kigoma, bringing together over 50 government, civil society and private leaders united to demand urgent action on education and economic justice. Organized by Enabel’s Wezesha Binti (Empower a Girl) project and titled “Advancing Gender Equality: Accelerating Secondary Education and Improving Economic Opportunities for Young Women and Girls” with one rallying cry of no more broken promises.

The participants were moved by an emotional testimony from a 17-year-old young mother who defied stigma to reclaim her education. “I want to be a doctor, but my community says I’m ‘spoiled.’ How can I prove them wrong if even teachers don’t know the re-entry rules? she stated, detailing how unclear re-entry policies and teacher bias nearly denied her a chance to continue with her education. Her story is anchored from a presentation by Dr. Wilberforce Meena of Haki Elimu (Right to Education), a leading NGO on education sector in Tanzania, on a study they conducted on Tanzania’s 2021 re-entry policy, allowing teen mothers back to school.  

While the law revived hope for many teenage mothers when it was introduced in 2021, Dr. Meena revealed glaring gaps that only 12% of schools in the country fully comply with stigma, untrained staff, and inconsistent implementation locking young mothers out of school. “We need nationwide teacher training, community anti-stigma campaigns, and clear guidelines to prevent arbitrary implementation of the re-entry policy.”

On the discussion about economic empowerment, the panelists highlighted economic exclusion of women in high-growth sectors like renewable energy and construction despite Tanzania’s push for “greener jobs” in climate-resilient sectors. Women entrepreneurs flagged persistent challenges citing exclusion from male dominated industries, limited access to financing as banks demand collateral, complex business registration processes and punitive tax regimes that discourage formalization of their businesses. They pushed for faster reforms—simplified business licensing, gender-responsive financing, and tax incentives to formalize women-led enterprises.

The government through Vocational Education and Training (VETA) centres is tasked with coming up with strategies to attract young women and girls to join Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs by revising the curricula to align with job market demands, offering scholarships, childcare support and mentorship led by women.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Msafiri Nzunuri, Kigoma’s Regional Community Development Officer and Wezesha Binti regional focal point, pledged collaboration with all stakeholders “We cannot solve these issues in silos. From enforcing anti-GBV laws to supporting women’s markets, this is a collective fight.” He lauded Enabel’s role in fostering dialogue but urged faster action: “Let’s move from talk to tangible change—our girls are watching.”

As the teenage mother who stirred the room later said the dialogue was a lifeline: “Today, I feel heard. Maybe now my daughter won’t face the same battles.”