AD1062: Despite strong public support for gender equality, Tanzanian women still face barriers – Afrobarometer

Report on Gender Equality and Sustainable Development in Tanzania

Progress Towards SDG 5: Gender Equality and SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

Tanzania has established a robust legal and policy framework to advance Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). Key commitments include:

• Constitutional enshrinement of gender equality.
• Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1986).
• Ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (2003).
• Implementation of the National Strategy for Gender Development to reduce gender disparities.

In line with SDG Target 5.5, which calls for women’s full participation in political life, women now hold approximately 38% of seats in the National Assembly, facilitated by a quota system.

Advances in SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work)

Significant progress has been recorded in key development areas, contributing to multiple SDGs:

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): To address Target 4.5 on eliminating gender disparities in education, female secondary-school enrolment has shown substantial growth, rising from 4% in 1991 to 29% in 2021.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The female labour-force participation rate increased from 67% in 2000 to 80% in 2019. This figure is well above the sub-Saharan African average of 63% and aligns with the objectives of Target 8.5 for full and productive employment.

Persistent Challenges to Achieving SDG 5 and SDG 8

Despite progress, significant challenges hinder the full achievement of gender equality and decent work for all.

• Informal Employment (SDG 8): Women remain disproportionately represented in low-paid and insecure jobs. Informal employment increased from 22% of the total in 2014 to 29% in 2020/2021, with women more likely than men to be engaged in such work. This trend undermines progress towards Target 8.8, which aims to protect labour rights and promote secure working environments.
• Barriers to Formal Employment (SDG 5): Afrobarometer survey data confirms persistent gender gaps in formal employment. Respondents identified several barriers preventing women’s full economic participation, including:

1. Inflexible work arrangements.
2. Lack of adequate childcare.
3. Employer preference for hiring men.

Public Perception and Institutional Accountability for SDG 16

Public opinion highlights a critical gap in institutional effectiveness, directly relevant to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 5.

• While most Tanzanians do not perceive gender discrimination and sexual harassment as common problems, there is an overwhelming consensus that state institutions must improve their protective functions.
• Citizens overwhelmingly state that the police and courts need to take more decisive action to protect women and girls, a call that aligns with SDG Target 16.3 to ensure equal access to justice for all and Target 5.2 to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article directly addresses education by highlighting the significant growth in female secondary-school enrolment in Tanzania, indicating progress and ongoing challenges in providing equitable educational opportunities for girls.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  This is the central theme of the article. It discusses women’s political representation, economic participation, legal frameworks for gender equality (like the Constitution and international conventions), and persistent gaps and barriers such as discrimination in hiring and the need for protection from harassment.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article focuses on women’s economic participation, citing the rise in the female labour-force participation rate. It also addresses the quality of work, noting that women are disproportionately represented in low-paid, insecure, and informal jobs, which relates directly to the goal of achieving decent work for all.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article touches upon this goal by mentioning the legal and institutional frameworks designed to promote gender equality, such as the Constitution and the ratification of international conventions. It also highlights a gap in institutional effectiveness, as citizens feel the police and courts need to do more to protect women and girls.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Targets under SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.5: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable. The article’s focus on the growth of female secondary-school enrolment from 4% to 29% directly relates to this target of eliminating gender disparities in education.

2. Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against women and girls everywhere. The article implies this target by discussing employer preference for hiring men and the public’s call for more protection against gender discrimination and sexual harassment.
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life. The statistic that women hold about 38% of National Assembly seats is a direct measure related to this target for political participation.
   • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality. The article mentions Tanzania’s Constitution, the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and the National Strategy for Gender Development, which are all examples of policies and legislation aimed at this target.

3. Targets under SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men… and equal pay for work of equal value. The article addresses this by citing the high female labour-force participation rate (80%) but also noting that women remain in “low-paid and insecure jobs,” indicating a gap in achieving “decent work.”
   • Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers… and those in precarious employment. The finding that women are more likely than men to be engaged in informal and insecure work directly connects to the need to protect workers in precarious employment situations.

4. Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article relates to this target when it states that Tanzanians “overwhelmingly say the police and courts need to do more to protect women and girls from these threats,” pointing to a perceived need for stronger access to justice.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

1. Indicator for SDG Target 5.5

   The article provides a direct measurement for Indicator 5.5.1: Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments and local governments.

   • Data from article: “women now hold about 38% of National Assembly seats.”

2. Indicator for SDG Target 8.5

   The article mentions data relevant to Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex… although it specifically provides the labour force participation rate, which is a closely related measure of economic engagement.

   • Data from article: “The female labour-force participation rate rose from 67% in 2000 to 80% in 2019.”

3. Indicator for SDG Target 4.5

   The article provides data that can be used to assess progress towards eliminating gender disparities in education, relevant to Indicator 4.5.1: Parity indices (female/male…) for all education indicators.

   • Data from article: “female secondary-school enrolment grew from just 4% in 1991 to 29% in 2021.”

4. Indicator for SDG Target 8.8

   The article implies a measure for Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in total employment, by sector and sex.

   • Data from article: “informal employment in Tanzania increased from 22% of all employed persons in 2014 to 29% in 2020/2021, with women more likely than men to be engaged in such work.”

5. Indicator for SDG Target 16.3

   The article provides a qualitative indicator related to public perception of justice institutions, which can inform progress on ensuring access to justice.

   • Data from article: The perception that “the police and courts need to do more to protect women and girls from these threats [gender discrimination and sexual harassment].”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: afrobarometer.org