AWLN Tanzania held a Women’s Rights Forum on 22 April 2026, bringing together leaders, youth and policymakers to discuss democracy and inclusive governance.
The forum was graced by AWLN Patrons Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Sahle-Work Zewde, who engaged stakeholders on women’s leadership, civic space, and institutional trust in the aftermath of the October 2025 elections.
Discussions centred on the need to strengthen democratic institutions, expand women’s participation in leadership, and rebuild public confidence in governance systems. Participants called for justice-centred healing, institutional reforms, and stronger accountability mechanisms to restore trust between citizens and the state.
AWLN Tanzania reaffirmed its commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and inclusive nation-building, emphasising that women and youth must remain central to shaping Tanzania’s democratic future.
The forum comes amid heightened national and international attention following the October 29, 2025, elections in Tanzania, which were marked by widespread unrest, allegations of human rights violations, and concerns over civic freedoms.
A high-level AWLN delegation led by former presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Sahle-Work Zewde has been engaging political leaders, civil society groups, and government institutions in Dar es Salaam to better understand the events surrounding the election period.
The delegation’s engagements included a meeting with President Samia Suluhu Hassan at State House, where discussions focused on ongoing investigations and efforts to strengthen peace, unity, and institutional reforms. The President reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stability and continued dialogue with national and international stakeholders.
The delegation also met representatives of the opposition party CHADEMA, who raised concerns over alleged human rights violations, calling for independent investigations, accountability, and stronger democratic safeguards.
These engagements follow a visit by a Commonwealth Special Envoy, reflecting sustained international monitoring and interest in Tanzania’s political developments.
The African Women Leaders Network is a joint African Union–United Nations initiative launched in 2017 to strengthen women’s leadership in governance, peacebuilding, and development across the continent. It aligns with Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting inclusive leadership and democratic participation.
Through the intergenerational forum and ongoing engagements, AWLN Tanzania continues to position women as key drivers of democratic renewal, peacebuilding, and institutional reform.
The network’s work underscores a growing continental push for inclusive governance—where women and youth are not only participants in political processes but active shapers of democratic futures built on justice, accountability, and trust.
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