Preface
The Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania recognises that all human beings are born free and equal. It enshrines equality of all persons without any discrimination on the basis of their nationality, tribe, place of origin, political opinion, colour, religion, sex or station in life. It further advocates for equal opportunity in various rights including, among many others, the right to life, the right to participate in public affairs, the right to education, the right to work, the right to fair remuneration and the right to own property. Several legal provisions have been enacted and institutions established to safeguard the provision of equal opportunities based on these rights for all persons living in Tanzania.
Since independence, the country has made substantial advances and achieved numerous successes in this regard. However, in certain areas obstacles to the enjoyment of these rights still persist, including gender inequalities rooted in social, economic and institutional factors. More concretely, many perceptions, attitudes and practices within communities, families and households continue to hamper the full achievement of gender equality.
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar firmly believe that gender is an important dimension of development at all levels of society. For this reason, Tanzania embarked on a Social Institutions and Gender Index (SIGI) country study. This endeavour highlights Tanzania’s commitment to investigate and understand the factors that still constrain women’s empowerment and obstruct gender equality.
The results from the SIGI Tanzania country study depict an encouraging situation. Policy, legal and institutional reforms targeting gender equality have contributed to improve the situation, while national and international partners have also played a critical role, notably through gender policy advocacy, awareness and sensitisation efforts across society. Our hope is that the findings from the study and from the present report will continue to inform policy formulation and review in the future, accelerating change towards gender equality and helping to fulfil national and global aspirations for sustainable development for all.
The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar will persevere with their efforts in favour of gender equality, seeking to address negative perceptions, attitudes and practices that still constrain women’s empowerment. To attain these objectives, Tanzania will continue to rely on collaboration and support from national and international partners. In this regard, the government offers its most sincere thanks to UN Women Tanzania, the Embassy of Ireland in Tanzania and the OECD, whose contributions to the SIGI Tanzania are greatly acknowledged and appreciated.
Minister of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups
Minister of Health, Social Welfare, Elderly, Gender and Children