Tanzania, like other Sub-Saharan African countries, is facing the
impacts of climate change. However, not everyone is affected equally. Women and
girls bear the heaviest burden due to long-standing social and economic systems
that have marginalized them. The situation worsens when their voices are absent
from decision-making platforms. Clearly, climate change is not only about
weather patterns but also about equity, justice, and development. As social
foundations tremble, bold actions must be taken to ensure women and children
are not merely victims but also drivers of change.
In many communities, rural women rise before dawn to fetch water
or firewood, prepare food, and work in the fields. Meanwhile, their children
often miss school due to lack of uniforms or school supplies. In regions such
as Singida, Dodoma, and Manyara, women walk 6–10 kilometers daily in search of
water. During that time, their children are left at home unsupervised or
accompany them on long treks, missing out on education and play. This is
tangible evidence of the burden of climate change on both women and children.
These lives call for urgent systemic and policy transformation.
Land ownership systems in the country still discriminate against
women, even though they form the backbone of agriculture, accounting for over
60% of the labor force. Yet, they own less than 20% of the land. This inequity
is a crisis in itself, as lack of ownership denies women access to credit,
decisions on climate-resilient farming, and food security. This directly
affects children, as a decline in household nutrition undermines their health.
Children eat poor-quality food, suffer illnesses, and experience stunted
growth. When women are granted land and resources, the whole family benefits,
and children thrive in healthier environments.
In early July 2025, these challenges were clearly highlighted
during a major national conference held in Morogoro. This conference, which
brought together government officials, UN Women, civil society organizations,
environmental experts, and gender activists, marked Tanzania’s renewed efforts
to upgrade its NDC 3.0 the national document outlining its contribution to
global climate change response efforts.
In the agricultural sector, it was emphasized that specific
strategies are needed to support women’s access to environmentally friendly
technologies, such as low-water irrigation, drought-resistant seeds, and
time-saving tools like solar-powered water pumps. Training in land management
and input optimization was also prioritized. These would help women increase
productivity, improve incomes, and strengthen their resilience to climate
shocks.
The water sector is another area with direct implications for
women and children. Lack of clean water increases the risk of diseases such as
diarrhea a leading cause of death among children under five. Women, on the
other hand, spend considerable time fetching water, which affects their
productivity and denies them economic opportunities. Investing in nearby water
infrastructure, such as wells and rainwater harvesting dams, reduces the burden
on women and children while improving overall family health. Access to clean
water is a fundamental right and a core solution for household well-being.
Children are often overlooked in environmental policy discussions.
However, this article emphasizes that children should be seen not just as
beneficiaries but also as participants. There must be education systems that
involve children in climate change issues from school curricula to
environmental clubs. Today’s children are tomorrow’s leaders. When given the
right knowledge now, they can make better decisions in the future. Policymakers
must ensure that children are educated, heard, and involved.
Climate finance has also been prioritized. When funds are directed
with gender and generational lenses, they can protect children’s lives by
strengthening health, education, and water services the foundational pillars of
child well-being. Gender equity in the use of these funds must be a core
criterion in budget planning and project implementation. Projects that include
women and support children should not be an afterthought but a national priority.
In the energy sector, women and children are the most affected by
the use of dirty energy. Cooking with firewood and charcoal pollutes indoor air
and causes respiratory illnesses, especially for young children and pregnant
women. Data shows that household smoke causes numerous preventable deaths.
Investing in clean energy such as improved cookstoves, biogas, and solar power not
only protects family health but also saves the time spent collecting firewood.
This time can then be used for learning, income-generating activities, or
quality caregiving. Therefore, policies that enhance access to clean energy for
women directly invest in better lives for their children.
Women’s participation in decision-making remains a major
challenge. From village to district to national levels, women still fall short
of the required representation to have their voices fully heard. This affects
how policies are drafted, how projects are implemented, and how resources are
distributed. In the climate change sector, gender imbalance has long-term
consequences for children. Policies made without women's perspectives often
fail to address real community needs. Therefore, strategies must ensure women’s
full participation not just in name, but in decision-making power. Deep,
meaningful participation by women is a bridge to inclusive development for
their children.
Regarding forests and coastal environments, climate change has
caused land degradation, loss of natural vegetation, and an increase in
disasters such as floods and cyclones. These impact not only community
settlements but also schools and health services located in affected areas.
Children living in coastal or forested areas face the risk of losing homes,
schools, or even lives due to environmental degradation. Additionally, women
and girls are forced to walk farther in search of firewood or water, increasing
their risk of gender-based violence. Policies aimed at ecosystem restoration
and coastal protection must also prioritize the safety and well-being of women
and children.
In the context of green education and knowledge, the nation should
invest in climate change curricula for children. Attitude-change programs must
also target children through creative means such as school-based activities,
theater, and environmental education to build resilience against climate
change. Environmental education should not remain a classroom theory but should
become part of daily life. Environmental clubs, school gardens, and educational
field trips to affected areas are powerful tools for helping children
understand the relationship between humans and nature. This way, the next
generation will have the knowledge to protect their environment.
Data is the backbone of effective policy. Without disaggregated
data by gender, age, and disability, we are left with assumptions instead of
evidence. The national statistics system must be strengthened to reflect the
real situation of women and children in climate sectors. Policies must be based
on data, not emotions. This includes ensuring that every ministry, department,
and local authority carries out gender-responsive monitoring of climate
projects. Beyond knowing how many people a project reached, we must also know
how many were women, how many were children, and what exactly they received.
This data is essential for real accountability.
In the transport sector, women and children often travel by public
transport or on foot, especially in rural and marginalized areas. Unsafe
transport increases the risk of gender-based violence, delays school
attendance, and limits women’s access to employment and services. Green
transport policies must emphasize safety, affordability, and child- and
woman-friendly infrastructure. Additionally, it is important to encourage
women’s participation as drivers, mechanics, or transport entrepreneurs to
unlock economic opportunities that support family well-being.
In the waste management and environmental sanitation sector, women
and children are most exposed to poor sanitation due to domestic roles.
Mismanaged waste affects the health of entire communities, but the impact is
greatest on young children. By promoting a circular economy that emphasizes
cleanliness, waste recycling, and entrepreneurship, women can gain employment,
income, and dignity. In turn, their children live in clean environments free of
foul odors and health hazards. Waste management projects must be inclusive,
considering gender, age, and the actual conditions of local communities.
Tanzania’s climate policy under NDC 3.0 has laid the foundation
for transformative change. The government has shown real commitment by
embedding gender equality in all aspects from budgeting to project
implementation. But these efforts cannot succeed without partnerships with the
private sector, civil society, and communities. When women lead, children are
educated, and society is mobilized, Tanzania can become a model of inclusive
and climate-resilient development in Africa. Every stakeholder must recognize
their role and act accordingly.
Children must not be left behind in this movement. Without climate
education in schools, without quality healthcare, and without participation in
policy-making, the next generation will continue to bear the burden of today’s
decisions. Their voices are the voices of tomorrow and today is the time to
listen. A new Tanzania green, equitable, and resilient cannot be built by
neglecting its most vulnerable. By involving children in this transformation,
we lay the foundation for a nation that values life, equality, and hope for the
future.
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