DAR ES SALAAM: MORE than five million Tanzanians have benefited from two joint Tanzania-Germany initiatives aimed at improving access to justice, legal awareness and protection services, particularly for women, children and vulnerable groups.
The achievements were highlighted on Thursday during the closing event of the Access to Justice for Women and Children – Society in Action for Equality (SAFE) programme and the Promotion of Rule of Law and Judiciary in Africa (PRoLA) programme, held at the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) on Thursday.
The two initiatives were implemented by the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs in partnership with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) Tanzania, in collaboration with the Judiciary, government institutions, civil society organisations, paralegals, legal aid providers and other justice sector stakeholders.
Speaking on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Constitution and Legal Affairs, Deputy Permanent Secretary Dr Franklin Jasson Rwezimula said the programmes demonstrated the value of cooperation between state and non-state actors in advancing justice reforms and improving citizens’ welfare.
“The Government of Tanzania will continue strengthening legal services by working closely with legal institutions and communities to ensure justice is accessible to all,” Dr Rwezimula said.
He said the initiatives had contributed to building the capacity of justice institutions while increasing public awareness of legal rights and justice-related matters.
Dr Rwezimula commended GIZ for its continued support in promoting legal sector reforms and strengthening cooperation between Tanzania and Germany.
Programme results show that more than 13,000 vulnerable citizens received legal advice, counselling, mediation and referral services in pilot districts of Dar es Salaam, Dodoma and Tanga. More than 70 per cent of beneficiaries surveyed reported that the support helped them resolve or address their legal challenges.
The programmes also reached more than 300,000 community members through legal awareness campaigns focusing on access to justice, legal rights and prevention of gender-based violence. The campaigns used community dialogues, sports events, drama performances, music and media outreach.
ALSO READ: Tanzania, China agree to broaden economic ties in trade, industrialization, and technology sectors
Through support to the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign, more than three million people across the country accessed information on legal aid, counselling and protection services.
Between February 2024 and June 2026, more than 1,200 survivors of gender-based violence received legal support through the One-Stop Centre at Mwananyamala Hospital, improving access to legal remedies, protection services and referrals.
In Lushoto District, nearly 1,000 members of Women and Children Protection Committees were trained to strengthen prevention of violence, reporting mechanisms and coordination among institutions responsible for protecting women and children.
The programmes also strengthened the capacity of justice actors, with nearly 600 judges and legal professionals trained in alternative dispute resolution, while 15 judges were prepared as mediation trainers. Police officers received training on survivor-centred and child-sensitive approaches in handling cases involving violence against women and children.
German Deputy Ambassador Manuel Muller reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to supporting Tanzania’s justice sector, saying access to justice was central to inclusive and sustainable development.
“Access to justice is not only a fundamental human right; it is also a cornerstone of inclusive and sustainable development,” Mr Muller said.