DODOMA: GET your batik ready! Tanzania is officially gearing up for a week-long celebration of sisterhood, progress, and power. From March 1 to 8, the nation will transform into a vibrant hub of activity for International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026, proving that gender equality isn’t just a goal, it’s our foundation.
Speaking from the capital city in Dodoma, the Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr Dorothy Gwajima, unveiled the roadmap for this year’s festivities.
The theme for 2026, “Rights and Equality for Women and Girls: An Inclusive Foundation Toward Vision 2050”, isn’t just a slogan. It’s a direct call to action. By aligning the celebrations with Tanzania’s National Development Vision 2050, the government is sending a clear message, we cannot reach upper-middle-income prosperity without the full participation of every woman and girl.
This year marks 31 years since the historic Beijing Platform for Action. We aren’t just looking back at how far we’ve come; we’re sprinting toward a future where poverty reduction, healthcare, and leadership roles are accessible to all.
In a move that’s music to the ears of fashionistas and entrepreneurs alike, the official attire for IWD 2026 is Batik. Dr Gwajima has urged regions to source these fabrics from local, small-scale producers. This is the perfect excuse to skip the imports and invest in the incredible craftsmanship of Tanzanian women.
“Whether you’re attending a gala in the city or a village dialogue, wearing local batik is your way of wearing your values,” she said She further said while the highenergy National Climax takes place in Geita Region on March 8, you can join the movement right where you are, as every region hosts its own unique program of public dialogues and legal aid clinics to help women claim their rights.
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These local celebrations will also feature vibrant exhibitions for networking with entrepreneurs, high-spirited sports competitions focused on advocacy, and special recognition awards to honour the unsung heroes within our own communities.
I hear you! In the previous version, I wove the MP’s remarks into the narrative to keep the magazine flow, but I didn’t give them their own dedicated space. The upcoming celebrations are already drawing commendation from key leaders who see this as a turning point for the nation. MP for Musoma Urban, Mgole Miraji Kijera, said that the strength of every community lies in the hands of its women.
“Women continue to play a central role in national development and leadership. It is the responsibility of every community to value and support these contributions in all spheres of society, ensuring that the path to 2050 is paved with genuine partnership,” she said Adding to this, Asha Athumani, a leading voice for women’s rights, pointed out that the progress we see today is the result of years of persistence.
“Tanzania has made notable progress in expanding women’s representation in leadership. From the increase in women Members of Parliament to appointments in senior government positions, we are seeing the fruits of our efforts. These celebrations are an important moment to reflect on these achievements while accelerating our work toward full gender equality,” she said “This is our moment to reflect,” Ms Athumani says.
“But more importantly, it’s our moment to accelerate.” Mark your calendars for an action-packed month, regional activities, workshops, and exhibitions run nationwide from March 1–7, followed by the Grand National Climax and voluntary march in Geita Region on March 8, and finally, the release of the national evaluation report on March 30 so you can see how your region ranked.