RISING WOMAN 2025: Gender gap in tech inspired Zaituni to establish Zaina Foundation

Dar es Salaam. The Executive Director of the Zaina Foundation. Zaituni Njovu, says she formed Zaina Foundation following the gap of women being left behind in tech, and additional challenges women face, including cyberbullying, harassment, and disinformation.

She says she observed the digital divide, and decided to take action where in 2017, she founded the Zaina Foundation with a vision to promote digital rights for women and ensure their inclusion in the digital world.

“Zaina Foundation is a non-governmental organisation based in Tanzania that focuses on empowering women and advocating their digital rights,” she said.

She said that she was born in Tanga, a coastal city in the northern part of Tanzania, and spent her formative years growing up there. “I spent much of my childhood in Tanga, surrounded by the beauty of the coastal region, before moving to Arusha to pursue higher education. During my time as a student, I observed many challenges that women were facing in the tech world. It became evident to me that women, particularly in Tanzania, were often left behind when it came to using technology and accessing online spaces. This gap was even more troubling because of the additional challenges women face, such as cyberbullying, harassment, and disinformation,” she noted.

She noted that after observing this digital divide, she decided to take action. In 2017, she founded the Zaina Foundation with a vision to promote digital rights for women and ensure their inclusion in the digital world.

“I recognised that empowering women in technology is not only about closing the digital gender gap but also about ensuring that women are able to use technology in ways that are safe, productive, and empowering. Zaina Foundation focuses on offering education, advocacy, and resources to women, particularly those in rural areas, so they can access and use technology effectively and securely,” she said.

She explained that her journey has been inspired by the powerful examples of successful women, both within Tanzania and internationally.  According to her, she has always believed that learning from the experiences of others is key to success.

Adding that, women who have managed to break barriers in various fields, including technology, motivated her to keep pushing forward and striving for greater accomplishments. “I am constantly learning from the challenges and successes of others, whether through reading, attending conferences, or connecting with peers in the global community. This sense of continuous growth is a major source of my inspiration,” she said.

Additionally, she said her drive comes from her passion for empowering women, which has been a consistent theme throughout her life. She said she strongly believes that when women are empowered, entire communities benefit.

Explaining, she said that the progress she has witnessed in her work, particularly the impact of the Zaina Foundation, fuels her determination to keep working toward greater outcomes for women in Tanzania and beyond.

She says that each day, she pushes herself to learn more, achieve more, and connect with more people who share the same mission. “This constant drive for improvement has been critical to my journey, she explains.

Talking about her journey, she says the most significant success is the growing awareness and safety of women in the digital space. “Through our efforts at Zaina Foundation, I have seen more women becoming comfortable and confident in using technology. This transformation is deeply meaningful to me, as it represents the culmination of years of hard work, education, and advocacy. Women are now increasingly aware of their rights online, and they are more empowered to use the internet for education, business, and personal development,” she said.

Another key success she is proud of is the role they have played in influencing the legal landscape in Tanzania. Thanks to the collective efforts of organisations like Zaina Foundation and other advocates, the Tanzanian government has introduced laws such as the Personal Data Protection Act. This law is a critical milestone in ensuring that individuals’ data is protected and that the digital rights of women are safeguarded.

“When I see these legal protections in place, it reassures me that our work is making a tangible difference in the lives of women. In addition to legal reforms, the growing awareness among women in Tanzania about their online freedoms and rights is a huge success for me personally and for the entire community we serve,” she said.

She says like any journey, hers has not been without challenges. One of the major obstacles they face is the lack of comprehensive policies and strategies that specifically address emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, there is a pressing need for governments and organisations to adopt forward-thinking policies that guide the ethical use of AI and other emerging technologies, especially in ways that promote gender equality.

In addition to policy gaps, she says they continue to face cultural taboos that hinder the adoption of technology, particularly in rural parts of Tanzania. Many women in these areas face societal pressure and are often discouraged from using technology or pursuing careers in tech. These cultural barriers create significant challenges in their work, as they strive to change mindsets and empower women to see technology as a tool for personal growth and community development.

However despite these challenges, they remain committed to breaking down these barriers through education, advocacy, and partnership-building.

She noted that other women who aspire to follow a similar path, she encourages them to work hard every single day and remain dedicated to their goals.

“There will always be obstacles, but it’s important to push through them, stay resilient, and never give up. One of the keys to success is continuous learning. Never stop acquiring new skills, whether they are technical skills, leadership skills, or interpersonal skills. The more you learn, the more equipped you will be to face the challenges that come your way,” she stressed.

She noted that building meaningful connections is also vital. Surrounding oneself with people who inspire and support them. Seek out mentors, collaborators, and like-minded individuals who can help one grow and learn. Additionally, financial independence is something every woman should strive for.

Being financially independent allows you to have more control over one’s choices and gives one the freedom to pursue their passions without fear of being constrained by financial limitations.

She noted that she is passionate about continuing to influence policies and strategies on the international stage. In the coming years, they aim to be a leading voice in discussions on digital rights, especially as they pertain to women and marginalised groups. “Our goal is to ensure that women everywhere have the knowledge, resources, and protection they need to navigate the digital world safely and confidently,” she said.

She noted that her mother’s unwavering strength, resilience, and commitment to family and community have been a constant source of motivation for her.

Supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation