Jokate Mwegelo represents Tanzania at CSW69, advocates for women’s leadership and technology

New York. Tanzanian politician and youth advocate Jokate Mwegelo represented Tanzania at the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Throughout the session, she participated in multiple high-profile discussions focusing on gender equality, women’s leadership, and the role of technology in empowering women and youth.

This year’s CSW69 marks 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (Beijing+30), a historic blueprint for advancing women’s rights globally.

The annual session, held from March 10 to 21, 2025, brings together world leaders, policymakers, activists, and industry experts to evaluate progress and strategize for a more gender-inclusive future.

One of the key sessions, titled “30 Years of Women’s Political Participation” and organized by Club de Madrid, featured influential political figures—including ministers and former presidents—who reflected on the progress made over the past three decades.

Jokate, who serves as the Secretary General of the Chama Cha Mapindu Tanzania Youth Wing and a member of the WYDE network of Club de Madrid, spoke about Tanzania’s progress in strengthening legal frameworks to support women in politics.

She said, “We’ve seen key changes in the presidential, parliamentary, and councillor elections laws, providing more protection against violence and harassment for women. This is especially important for young women who are now better equipped to engage in political processes,”

Expanding on the theme of empowerment, Ms. Mwegelo highlighted the transformative power of technology.

“Technology is not just a tool for communication; it is a catalyst for empowerment that can level the playing field and open up opportunities once deemed unreachable,” she explained.

Her remarks underscored the importance of digital innovation and artificial intelligence in breaking down traditional barriers to leadership.

Addressing the broader challenge of gender inequality, Tanzania emphasizes that the path to true equality requires systemic change rather than isolated victories.

"This conversation is not just about breaking glass ceilings—it’s about rebuilding institutions so that ceilings no longer exist. Leadership should not be a privilege for a select few but a right accessible to every qualified woman, regardless of background.” said Ms Mwegelo

The session also featured prominent figures such as Michelle Bachelet, former President of Chile and Vice President of Club de Madrid, Dan Juvan, Slovenia’s State Secretary for Labour, Family, and Social Affairs, and ministers from Spain and Slovenia.

Tanzania's participation highlighted a global commitment to gender-responsive policies and set the stage for comprehensive discussions on closing the gender gap in digital innovation and political participation.

Which also underscores the country’s commitment to empowering women and youth through enhanced leadership, economic inclusion, and digital transformation.

CSW69 not only draws attention to the remaining challenges but also chart a clear path forward—one where leadership is redefined as an inherent right accessible to every qualified woman.

It is a clarion call for systemic reform and a reminder that the next generation of women leaders must face far fewer barriers than those who came before them.

Together, these discussions signal a transformative moment in the global movement for women’s empowerment—one that challenges outdated norms and envisions a future where every woman can confidently step into leadership.