Zanzibar President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi has reaffirmed the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with UN Women to advance gender equality, expand women’s economic empowerment and eliminate violence against women and girls.
Dr Mwinyi made the pledge recently at the State House in Zanzibar during a courtesy meeting with the newly appointed UN Women Representative to Tanzania, Ms Julia Broussard, who called on him following her appointment.
The President said Zanzibar highly values its longstanding partnership with UN Women, describing the agency as a key development partner in promoting women’s economic participation and addressing challenges affecting women and girls, particularly in rural communities.
He said the government is committed to deepening collaboration with UN Women, especially in the seaweed industry, which provides livelihoods for thousands of women across the islands.
According to Dr Mwinyi, increasing seaweed production, processing and value addition will boost farmers’ incomes, create employment opportunities, expand market access and enable women to earn greater returns from the sector.
«”Adding value to seaweed will transform livelihoods and create new economic opportunities for women across Zanzibar,” he said.»
The President also underscored the need to intensify efforts to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence, stressing that women must be protected from abuse, discrimination and all forms of violence to enable them to participate fully in the country’s social and economic development.
He reaffirmed the government’s readiness to work closely with UN Women to strengthen prevention programmes, expand community awareness campaigns, enhance survivor support services and reinforce institutional systems for responding to violence against women and girls.
On gender data, Dr Mwinyi emphasised that reliable and comprehensive statistics are essential for identifying the challenges facing women and informing evidence-based policymaking.
He noted that, following data collection by the Office of the Chief Government Statistician, greater emphasis should be placed on analysing and utilising the information to guide development planning, support informed decision-making and assess the impact of government interventions.
The President further reiterated Zanzibar’s commitment to promoting women’s leadership and participation in decision-making, noting that several women have been appointed to senior government positions, including the Chief Secretary, who also serves as Secretary to the Revolutionary Council.
Speaking during the meeting, Ms Broussard commended Dr Mwinyi for his leadership and commitment to advancing gender equality and increasing women’s representation in leadership and decision-making.
She said Zanzibar has demonstrated strong political commitment to gender equality, citing the appointment of women to senior government positions as evidence of the government’s dedication to inclusive governance.
Ms Broussard outlined UN Women’s priority areas in Zanzibar, which include women’s economic empowerment, strengthening the seaweed value chain, preventing violence against women and girls, improving gender statistics and promoting gender-responsive budgeting.
She stressed that women’s economic empowerment must go hand in hand with ensuring their safety, dignity and freedom from violence.
Ms Broussard also pledged UN Women’s continued support to the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in implementing programmes that improve the lives of women and girls while promoting inclusive, equitable and sustainable development.
UN Women, formally known as the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, is the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.
The organisation works globally to advance the rights of women and girls, eliminate discrimination and violence, and support women’s full participation in political, economic and social life.