Education, leadership should complement family roles, Tanzanian President tells women

Dar es Salaam. Women have been encouraged to leverage their education and leadership roles to benefit society while being reminded that these opportunities should not compromise their family responsibilities.

This message was delivered by President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Friday, February 21, 2025, during the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Mwanamke Kiongozi Programme.

The initiative is run by the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) in collaboration with the Government of Norway and other partners.

The event also marked the 10th graduation ceremony for approximately 110 women who had completed the leadership training.

The Mwanamke Kiongozi Programme, launched in 2016, aims to enhance women’s leadership skills across various sectors.

Addressing the ceremony, President Samia emphasised that women who gain education and leadership positions have a responsibility to ensure society remains united, with a continued focus on promoting girls' education.

“Education and leadership roles should not make us forget our fundamental responsibility of raising and nurturing our children. Neglecting this duty can lead to various societal challenges,” she warned.

She highlighted the potential consequences, including the risk of a lonely old age due to children engaging in harmful behaviours or lacking strong relationships with their parents.

Furthermore, this neglect could result in overly dependent children, who become a burden to society, while hindering efforts to educate and uplift the girl child.

President Hassan also reflected on the past, when women’s capabilities were often underestimated.

“In the past, there was little faith in a woman’s abilities. Some believed a woman President would simply follow instructions, others dismissed women’s leadership as mere kitchen-party decisions. You can see the skepticism women faced,” she said.

However, she pointed out that such views are gradually changing, and for women to strengthen their credibility, they must effectively fulfill their leadership roles.

She further urged graduates to use the knowledge gained from their training to support and mentor other women.

“As you return to your workplaces, remember to uplift other women—not by giving them undue advantage, but by leading and supporting them,” said President Hassan.

According to her, this approach will increase the number of women in leadership and help drive forward their collective agenda.

The President also encouraged the graduates to contribute to the development of their families, communities, and the nation, stressing that educating a woman is synonymous with educating a society.

President Hassan expressed satisfaction in seeing the positive impact of the program she launched a decade ago on the lives of many women.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (Labor, Youth, Employment, and People with Disabilities), Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete, reiterated the government’s commitment to working with various stakeholders to advance the women in leadership agenda.