Dodoma: When rains fail in rural Tanzania, women bear the brunt. They trek longer distances for water, gather firewood for longer hours, and work harder to feed their families as harvests dwindle. Climate change is amplifying these struggles, highlighting not just environmental vulnerabilities, but also gender inequalities that leave women especially impacted during crises.
A recent 2025 Gender and Environment Survey by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals that over 82% of women and about 81% of men in Mainland Tanzania have felt the effects of climate change. While both genders are affected, women often face a heavier load due to societal roles and limited access to resources.
Dr. Dorothy Gwajima, the Minister for Community Development, highlighted that drought is the most severe threat, mainly in arid areas. Nearly half of households in these regions are affected, resulting in food shortages and dwindling incomes. For women, who are traditionally tasked with securing food and water, this translates into more demanding and time-consuming work.
The report emphasizes that over 81% of rural homes rely on firewood for cooking. As trees decrease, women must venture farther into forests for fuel. “Women undertake most unpaid environmental labor while men often engage in paid work,” Dr. Gwajima noted. Worryingly, the survey also found that only 16.6% of women along the coast receive early warnings about disasters, compared to 21.8% of men. This information gap disproportionately affects women in rural and low-income areas, making them more vulnerable during extreme weather events.
Along with climate insights, the NBS shared findings from the Women’s Empowerment and Nutrition (WEN) 2023/24 report. This reveals that only 26% of women feel they can make independent economic decisions. The figures vary, with Zanzibar seeing the highest autonomy at nearly 45%, while some areas show as low as 11.6%. Women’s influence on matters like marriage and health decisions also remains limited, even though they handle most family responsibilities.
Despite challenges, there are signs of progress. Over half of the surveyed women reject violence against them, indicating shifting attitudes toward gender equality. Nearly half are also active in community groups, but influence remains lopsided—only 9% of women feel their opinions are taken seriously in community decisions, compared to 26% of men.
Economic inequality continues to be a significant setback. Men control 54.8% of household finances, while only 39.6% is managed by women. Additionally, 72% of men utilize financial services, while only 58% of women do. Property ownership poses another hurdle, with approximately 40% of women owning land but only a third having official ownership papers, limiting their financial opportunities.
Nutrition is also tied to women’s empowerment. Nationwide, 56.7% of women meet the minimum dietary diversity threshold, yet rural women still struggle to access nutritious foods compared to their urban counterparts.
“The message is clear: empowered women lead to better nutrition outcomes,” Dr. Gwajima said. The surveys convey a crucial truth: climate change affects genders differently. As pressures mount, existing inequalities dictate who accesses essential resources and opportunities for recovery. Experts stress that without enhancing women’s economic power and leadership, efforts to combat climate challenges will be inadequate.
Dr. Gwajima emphasized, “Empowering women isn’t just a developmental aim; it’s vital for climate resilience.” These insights underline the importance of addressing gender dynamics in climate strategies. Empowering women is essential not only for achieving development goals but also for navigating the complexities of a changing climate.
