MCL, Crown Media launch fifth edition of The Citizen Rising Woman

Dar es Salaam. Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL), in collaboration with Crown Media, on Friday, February 7, 2025, launched the 5th edition of The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative 2025.

This is a platform dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements and their contributions to society.

The event took place at Crown Media Headquarters in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, with MCL’s acting managing director, Mr Victor Mushi, and Crown Media’s founder and owner, renowned artist Ali Kiba, in attendance.

The two leaders formalised their commitment to the initiative by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), symbolising a shared vision to advance women’s empowerment through storytelling and recognition.

In his opening remarks, Mr Mushi thanked Crown Media for their partnership, noting, “By working together, we can take this initiative to greater heights.”

“Our goal at MCL is to support and empower women in leadership and decision-making roles, and this partnership strengthens our ability to contribute to national development,” he added.

Mr Mushi also acknowledged KPMG’s ongoing role as a data partner, highlighting their contribution to making The Citizen Rising Woman a credible platform.

Reflecting on its journey since 2021, he noted the initiative’s purpose to connect Tanzanian women from diverse sectors, celebrate their achievements, and create new opportunities.

“Our primary goal is to celebrate and empower Tanzanian women in leadership,” he said.

With over 250 inspiring stories and 45 awards to date, The Citizen Rising Woman aims to continue amplifying women’s voices and opening doors to leadership roles.

In his welcoming remarks, Crown Media Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr Apollo Temu, expressed excitement about the partnership with MCL, recognising it as a significant platform for progress.

“It is a privilege to be part of a partnership focused on uplifting women across various sectors. In today’s world, collaboration is key to development,” he said.

“Our partnership with MCL reflects our shared commitment to bringing positive change, especially for women seeking opportunities to grow, learn, and excel in society,” he added.

Mr Temu explained that Rising Woman aims to empower women by offering skills development, online opportunities, and fostering entrepreneurship.

“A woman equipped with education, skills, and a strong network is better positioned to make a difference not only in her life but in society as a whole,” said Mr Temu.

“We are proud to support this initiative, which will open doors for women to showcase their talents and realise their dreams. We thank MCL for being a key partner and we encourage other stakeholders to join us in amplifying this message of change,” added Mr Temu.

KPMG East Africa Tax Partner, Ms Fabiola Ssebuyoya, highlighted the firm’s recognition of women’s economic contribution and their role in various sectors of society.

She emphasised that women’s empowerment and progression are central to the firm’s values, noting that women make up about 52 percent of their staff.

“Our firm runs several initiatives, including leadership programmes and mentorship. We have also created supportive facilities for women with infant babies and expectant mothers, ensuring a comfortable environment during their transition to motherhood,” she explained.

Earlier, MCL’s acting executive editor, Mr Mpoki Thomson, described the evening as historic, marking a partnership between MCL and Crown Media for the official launch of The Citizen Rising Woman's fifth edition.

“This is not just our fifth anniversary but the start of a significant collaboration to share inspiring stories of remarkable women. We chose to partner with Crown Media because of their expertise in storytelling. Together, we aim to empower the nation and celebrate women’s achievements,” he said.

Mr Thomson explained that the partnership would involve not only The Citizen newspaper and website but also Crown Media’s TV and radio platforms.

He noted that this year’s storytelling approach is different, with a weekly magazine to be published every Monday in The Citizen, alongside interviews broadcast on Crown Media’s platforms.

“Our goal is to broaden our reach, ensuring that every woman is inspired by these incredible stories,” he added, emphasising the wider impact of the partnership.