Tanzanian officials call for improved retention of women in leadership

At the sixth Women’s Leadership Forum organized by the UONGOZI Institute in Dar es Salaam, officials and development partners discussed strategies to improve the retention and growth of women in leadership roles.

Zanzibar Minister of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, Dr. Riziki Pembe Juma, emphasized that institutions must make women’s leadership longevity a deliberate objective. She noted that representation alone is insufficient if women encounter workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, or unequal responsibilities that force them out of senior positions. In Zanzibar, women currently hold 33 per cent of ministerial positions and 38 per cent of principal secretary roles.

Regina Qwaray, Deputy Minister in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, urged employers to provide fair opportunities based on merit while avoiding gender bias. She encouraged women leaders to mentor others to prepare them for future responsibilities. These efforts align with Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050 and the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals regarding gender equality and effective participation of women in decision-making.