National gender profile of agriculture and rural livelihoods – United Republic of Tanzania

Book excerpt: The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania recognizes that sustainable development cannot be achieved without attaining gender equality; hence, gender is mainstreamed in all sectors, including the agriculture sector. This commitment is reflected in the national Constitution, national strategies, plans and policies such as the Tanzania Development Vision 2025, National Five-Year Development Plan 2016/17–2021/22, National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty (NSGRP I and II), Women and Gender Development Policy of 2000 and the National Agriculture Policy of 2013. The agriculture sector employs nearly 66 percent of the workforce in the United Republic of Tanzania, thereby contributing to bringing the country closer to becoming a middle-income country. However, the sector, like all other sectors, is negatively impacted by the gender inequalities. To address the gender gaps in all sectors, including agriculture, the United Republic of Tanzania established the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) as the national institution to mainstream gender.