Hon. Riziki Pembe Juma, Minister of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Zanzibar.
The African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), in collaboration with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania and UN Women, has convened the regional meeting to reflect on progress, galvanize commitment, and catalyse the energy, activism, and ideas of women's rights organizations and young people.
Bringing together over 200 participants from strategic government ministries, women's rights organizations, climate justice activists, young feminist women, women and girls with disabilities, international financial institutions, private sector representatives, young women leaders, media, and AWLN chapters across African countries, the meeting seeks to support the Government of Tanzania's efforts as a Generation Equality Forum (GEF) leader, strengthening accountability for delivering GEF commitments, accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and implementing the Beijing Platform for Action, particularly in gender-responsive macroeconomic planning and financing initiatives.
Reflecting on the GEF Midpoint event hosted by UN Women in New York in September 2023, it provided an important opportunity to mobilize sustained attention and investment in gender equality as an accelerator for the SDGs. This event was particularly crucial at a time when women’s rights are increasingly under threat globally, and progress has stalled or reversed in more than 30 per cent of the SDGs worldwide.
The 2023 UN Women UN DESA Gender Snapshot report paints a sobering picture for Sub-Saharan Africa; showing that by 2030, 221 million women and girls might still be living on less than $2.15 a day; and half of the women in the region might still be grappling with food insecurity.
UN Women Tanzania Acting Representative, Peterson Magoola.
In his remarks, UN Women Tanzania Acting Representative, Peterson Magoola emphasized the continued need for sustained investment and innovative financing strategies to enhance national frameworks.
“We must strengthen policies, planning, and budgeting processes at all levels to ensure greater accountability and effective service delivery that reaches women and girls,” said Magoola.
As a GEF Global Champion and co-leader of the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights, Tanzania is committed to utilizing its leadership to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls. This includes increased investments in gender-responsive public and private quality care services, law, and policy reforms, and supporting women and young women to expand decent work opportunities in both the formal and informal economies. The goal is to attain economic justice, enhance access to productive resources, and design and implement gender-responsive macroeconomic plans, budget reforms, and stimulus packages.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Angellah Kairuki, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism and Chair of the Generation Equality Forum National Advisory Committee.
Speaking at the event, Hon. Angellah Kairuki, Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism and Chair of the Generation Equality Forum National Advisory Committee, shed light on the significant progress the country has made in fulfilling its commitments to advance Women's Economic Justice and Rights.
“In efforts to bridge the financial inclusion gender gap in sub-Saharan Africa Tanzania has recognized the need for innovative and transformative financing mechanisms, such as gender bonds, and is already starting to witness the transformative power of gender bonds under the leadership of a woman leader and member of the Generation Equality Committee.” Said Hon. Kairuki.
Underscoring the progress of the Generation Equality Forum (GEF), Hon. Riziki Pembe Juma (MHR), Minister of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children Zanzibar, highlighted the significant achievements Tanzania has made across various sectors, including education, energy, finance, water, health, agriculture, and entrepreneurship. She emphasized the crucial role of women leaders' voices across these sectors in guiding the country’s Generation Equality efforts.
AWLN members have actively contributed to realizing the commitments of the Generation Equality Forum, both through their individual organizations and collectively as a unified movement. AWLN plays a crucial role in facilitating stronger linkages between women at the grassroots, national, and regional levels, engaging women from various sectors and different social groups. This includes young women, women with disabilities, and women representing other marginalized groups to ensure inclusiveness and effectiveness.
Rebeca Gyumi, AWLN Tanzania Chapter Co-chair, stressed on the need for the Generation Equality Forum to enhance its commitment tracking and reporting systems, ensuring they are clear and accessible for those working at the grassroots level. She pointed out that only 1.9 percent of all funding for gender equality reaches women and girls, highlighting the urgent need for change to achieve meaningful progress.
"These numbers must change, and change fast, if we are to make any meaningful progress toward gender equality. Let us reaffirm our commitment to promoting gender equality and leave this forum with renewed energy and concrete plans to drive our mission forward," said Rebeca.
The - ‘Beyond the GEF Midpoint: Galvanizing Commitment, Financing & Accountability’ meeting serves as a critical platform for women leaders across sectors to call for expanded public and private sector support towards financing for gender equality and accelerating the achievements of Generation Equality commitments in Tanzania and across Africa.
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