A conversation with Asseny Muro on gender equality

What you need to know:

In 1993, Asseny Muro was one of the founders of the Tanzania Gender Networking Group (TGNP), a leading women’s rights and feminist organization where she is currently the Chairperson of the Board.

I think it goes without saying that there have been some breakthroughs in areas that were strongholds of patriarchy since time immemorial. Importantly, now we can advocate for gender equality and organize the feminist movement with less resistance. Through some investments in awareness raising campaigns, a significant number of people now understand that we are not fighting men but want equal opportunities and participation in the development of our country. It is also becoming clearer that structural gender inequality disadvantages both men and women and I am happy that at national level, the issue of gender equality is also seen as a development issue that is recognized in our laws, policies, structures and national programs, although there are still some gaps. The Government is aware that, where a woman is empowered, the family, community and country gains.

There is still a backlash on gender equality and the more we do not invest more in partnership building for new strategies and innovations, we definitely risk losing the gains that we have so far made. I think one area that presents opportunities to preserve our gains is the collective realization that the women’s rights movement is waging a structural war, and here I am referring to patriarchy, which is the major structural obstacle at all levels. Women everywhere and of all ages, race, class and so forth have been affected by patriarchy in one way or the other. The agenda before us is a noble one because it is backed by International Declarations on gender equality, which our country also signed. For this agenda to be well understood, we need to invest more resources in awareness raising and education through dialogues, trainings and other innovations that will enable us to connect with different age groups of women, girls, men and boys. I believe if we can change the mindset of young people, to appreciate the importance of gender equality, we can push back the push back factors.

A conversation with Asseny Muro on gender equality

What you need to know:

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