WOMEN’s rights activists have urged the government to ensure that the National Development Vision 2050 prioritizes a stable and equitable economy.

Jane Magigita, Equality for Growth (EFG)’s managing director said recently at a meeting with senior government officials that the economy must be people-centered, including the poor.

“If we want to grow the economy, the economy should grow, but it must also reach the poor, we do not want to leave women behind, especially those working as street vendors (Mama ntilie),” she says

Vision 2050 should ensure that women are not left behind, as they also contribute taxes to the district councils.

Magigita made the call when speaking with Stanslaus  Nyongo, the Deputy Minister of State in the President's Office – Planning and Investment, during a meeting to review the draft of the National Development Vision 2050.

The meeting was held at the Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFTT) and involved participants from Women Action Towards Economic Development (WATED), Equity for Growth (EFG), Tanzania women Cross-Party Platform, Caravan: Women and Youth for Change, Msichana Initiative, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) and others.

Rebeca Gyumi, the Msichana Initiative managing director, further advocated for peace, security and governance.

She called on the government to ensure that the National Development Vision 2050 clearly defines what peace is when we talk about peace.

In this vision, peace and security should be viewed broadly, from the household level to the national level.

“We want the government to add clarification that peace also involves protecting society from gender-based violence, how can we talk about peace when women and children are being abused?"Peace also means that a woman should be safe in her own country.” She says

They also suggested that when people talk about peace, it should begin at home, within the household, because many people are abusing each other at home.

In the technology sector, the government should invest more in technological systems for online security in this vision.

“How can we assess our security systems, how are they protected, and how do they combat cyber threats, since wars also exist online? She says

Maria Matui, Women Action Towards Entrepreneurship Development (WATED)’s coordinator advocated for land and climate change.

She says they want to see women and girls become part of the development in vision 2050 especially in the blue economy, carbon trading, financial resources, and women's leadership in climate change.

"Also, we cannot discuss issues of biodiversity, climate change, and disasters without touching on land. Regarding land, we want to see where a woman's role lies in land ownership, not just in climate change,” she says.

Additionally, they want to see what role a woman has in contributing her experience and knowledge in addressing climate change, land conservation, and promoting climate-resilient agriculture.

Also, in the Vision 2050, they want to see how a woman can own land in a way that helps her tackle climate change.

“Women and girls are the ones who are affected by climate change and tend to experience an inequitable environmental burden,” she says.

Women should be empowered to own land and benefit from it.

Prof Ruth Meena, a veteran activist and member of the Women Coalition and Vision 2050 urged the government to ensure that the National Development Vision 2050 focuses on addressing gender-specific barriers in the informal sector to empower women economically and ensure they are not left behind.

The private sector is growing and becoming stronger, but it should not leave women behind. “In Vision 2050, they do not want to see women left behind,” she says.

Anna Kulaya, Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF)’s managing director added that gender issues should be considered in every aspect and in every area in vision 2050, “We should look at how women can be fully involved in development matters,” she says

Additionally, in the governance area, we should have a society that respects human rights, as well as the rights of women, children, and special groups.

Mary Ndaro, the Caravan Women and Youth for Change’s director added that a woman who is not safe cannot raise a child properly. Many women are still poor and need to be empowered so they can escape poverty.

“If we want a transformative vision, these aspects must be considered,” she says