Breaking Barriers: Addressing Gender Inequalities in Tanzania’s Agri-Food Value Chains
DOWNLOADDecember 3, 2024 - Dr. Lilian V. Mtasingwa
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EmailThe policy brief by Dr. Lilian V. Mtasingwa explores the persistent gender inequalities in Tanzania’s agri-food value chains, driven by unequal access to resources, entrenched societal norms, and limitations within legal frameworks. The analysis reviews four key Tanzanian legal documents: the Customary Law Declaration Order (1963), the Law of Marriage Act (1971), the Women and Gender Development Policy (2000), and the National Strategy for Gender Development (2005).
These documents often perpetuate gender disparities. For instance, the Customary Law reinforces male dominance in land inheritance, restricting women’s agency and access to critical agricultural resources. Similarly, while the Marriage Act provides some property rights for women, contradictions with customary laws often undermine its impact. The reviewed gender policies highlight the need for equity but fall short of addressing the heterogeneity among women or providing actionable strategies for gender mainstreaming.
Gender disparities manifest in agri-food value chains, where men dominate high-value activities like fish capture and wholesale, while women are relegated to undervalued roles like vegetable production and fish processing. This imbalance reduces women’s bargaining power and economic returns, limiting overall value chain development.
Key Recommendations:
- Legal Reforms: Amend outdated laws, including the Customary Law and Marriage Act, to enhance women’s land rights and participation in agriculture.
- Periodic Policy Reviews: Regularly update gender-related policies to address emerging issues and incorporate new research.
- Gender Training: Provide awareness training for policymakers and stakeholders to improve understanding and integration of gender equity in planning.
- Data Collection: Establish systems for collecting and analyzing gender-disaggregated data to inform better policy decisions.
- Gender-Responsive Education: Integrate gender mainstreaming into academic curricula, especially in agriculture-focused institutions.
Key Takeaways:
- Persistent gender inequalities in value chains hinder Tanzania’s agri-food sector growth.
- Legal frameworks often reinforce gender biases instead of addressing them.
- A holistic approach is needed to integrate men’s and women’s diverse needs in value chain development.
- Structural changes and awareness can empower women, improve equity, and enhance the sector's overall productivity.
The brief emphasizes the urgent need for policy and structural reforms to ensure equitable opportunities for all actors in the agri-food value chains, aligning with Tanzania’s broader development goals.
