IN a bold move, to promote gender equality and empowering women at workplaces, Geita Gold Mining Limited (GGML) has expressed commitment to continue empowering its female employees to participate fully and effectively in the execution of their duties.

The company has also pledged to build the capacity of women to attain senior leadership positions and create a safe environment that opposes all forms of gender-based violence.

David Nzaligo, GGML's senior legal counsel made the pledge recently in Dar es Salaam when contributing to a panel discussion during the launch of the Ajira Sawa Programme "Equal Employment Programme"

The programme, which targets women in the private sector, is a collaborative effort between the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a subsidiary of the World Bank focused on private sector growth – and the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE).

“Despite the mining sector's historical dominance by men, GGML has established progressive policies and procedures that not only favour women but also cultivate a safe and inclusive work environment.’’ Nzaligo revealed.

As Nzaligo proudly shared, the company actively participates in the Female Future Tanzania (FFT) programme, coordinated by ATE, by sponsoring its female employees to enrol and graduate from this empowering initiative.

However, GGML’s commitment to gender equality extends even further. The company has implemented a specific policy to ensure the wellbeing of new mothers, granting them dedicated time for breastfeeding and even providing transportation services to facilitate this important need.

"But also, within the company, there are various trainings and workshops that we have provided to our employees to ensure that we work collaboratively regardless of gender. This has enabled us to involve women even in tasks that were previously dominated by men," Nzaligo further revealed.

Launching the programme, Minister for Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Dr. Dorothy Gwajima expressed her belief that the initiative will accelerate the reach to more women.

Gwajima also acknowledged that the contribution of women's workforce is often hindered by various challenges, including inadequate inclusion in the private sector.

"The 2021 Tanzania Integrated Labor Force Survey report shows that only 25 percent of women are formally employed in the private sector, and the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange report shows that only 19 per cent of board members of companies registered in that market are women,"

"We are still lagging behind, and we need to be enthusiastic, and our enthusiasm should start from the grassroots level," Gwajima lamented.

The minister emphasized that the government is eager to see the program strengthen its efforts to empower women and establish equality, as it will provide an opportunity for companies to learn together on how to address gender challenges in the workplace.

Maria Porter, IFC Regional Director for East and Southern Africa explained that the program, among other priorities, focuses on the inclusion of women in the formal financial sector. This strategic approach has already yielded tangible results, reducing the gender gap from 9 percent in 2017 to just 3 percent in 2023.

Porter also revealed that 20 companies, including GGML, out of a total of 65, have already registered to participate in the program. The initiative aims to support the efforts of President Samia Suluhu Hassan to empower women and increase their contribution to the nation's progress.