HEAD of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s office, Shabnam Mallick has emphasised the vital role of partnerships, policy initiatives and collective action in advancing gender equality as a cornerstone of economic empowerment and sustainability.

She made the remarks in Dar es Salaam yesterday during the launch of Serengeti Breweries Limited’s (SBL) 2024 Sustainability Report.

Themed ‘Championing Inclusion and Diversity’ the report underscores SBL’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where individuals from diverse backgrounds can thrive. It focuses on breaking barriers and driving positive impacts within communities, suppliers and partners.

According to her, through transformative solutions developed through partnerships and coordinated efforts, women's engagement and participation in economic activities will increase, hence improving their lives.

Mallick expressed her appreciation for the strides SBL has made in promoting gender equality and supporting women in leadership roles.

“It’s encouraging to see the company set targets for spending on diverse suppliers and actively track the expenditure. These intentional efforts are crucial for achieving our long-term sustainability goals and ensuring that our progress benefits everyone,” she said.

SBL has earmarked significant resources for community investment through its Spirit of Progress, the action plan aimed at fostering sustainable communities in the regions it serves. The event gathered hundreds of stakeholders to discuss strategies for enhancing collaboration to promote gender equality and economic empowerment in Tanzania, addressing key challenges, opportunities and necessary policy interventions.

Obinna Anyalebechi, SBL Managing Director, highlighted the company’s ongoing impact on inclusive growth and economic empowerment for underrepresented communities in Tanzania.

“Our inclusion and diversity efforts reflect our commitment to empowering marginalized groups, including women, children and persons with disabilities, enabling them to fully seize socioeconomic opportunities,” he said.

“I am proud to report that nearly 40 percent of our farmer-partners this year were women and persons with disabilities who grow sorghum, a key ingredient in our beer production. Through our partnership with Sightsavers, we have supported over 200 women and persons with disabilities in Singida Region, helping them cultivate sorghum for supply to SBL.”