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Voices of Resilience: The Fight for Reproductive Justice in Tanzania

  • By: Abela Msikula
Edna Shaibu sits on the floor and bends her head on the hairdresser’s thighs for her hair to be braided, in a saloon that is located on Buswelu Street, in the Mwanza region, in Tanzania. The hairdresser placed a white towel on Edna’s shoulders to prevent pieces of hair from falling onto her dress. Her half-braided head is exposed to the camera. The photo was taken by George Binagi, on November 4, 2024.
Edna Shaibu sits down for hair braiding in the sun, in Buswelu Street of the Mwanza region, in a saloon located on Buswelu Street. Photo Credit: George Binagi, November 4, 2024

Tanzania stands at a critical juncture in its quest for reproductive justice, grappling with alarming maternal mortality rates that underscore the urgent need for comprehensive reproductive health care. According to the World Health Organization (2021), the maternal mortality rate in Tanzania was approximately 342 deaths per 100,000 live births. However, this figure masks significant disparities: rural areas experience maternal mortality rates as high as 500 per 100,000, while urban centers report rates closer to 250 per 100,000 (Tanzania Ministry of Health, 2021). Peri-urban areas often reflect a mix of these challenges, indicating that access to quality healthcare is unevenly distributed across the country.

These statistics represent the lives of women and families caught in a web of inadequate healthcare services, cultural stigma, and restrictive policies surrounding reproductive rights. Indigenous populations in Tanzania are particularly affected by these issues, where traditional cultural practices significantly impact women’s reproductive health. In many Indigenous communities, childbirth is often prioritized as a home-based event attended by traditional birth attendants (TBAs), who, despite being respected figures, frequently lack formal medical training. Such reliance on TBAs can lead to increased risks during complications, contributing to the high maternal mortality rates.

Debates over reproductive rights in Tanzania are intensifying as advocates push for reforms that challenge the prevailing narratives around women’s health and autonomy. The intersection of poverty, limited access to education, and traditional gender norms complicate these discussions, making it imperative to listen to the voices of those most affected.

In a recent interview, three women from Tanzania’s Mwanza region, a port city on the southern shore of Lake Victoria, northwest of the country, shared their views on reproductive health and its broader impact. Their stories provide insight into women’s systemic barriers and highlight the urgent need for change.

Edna Shaibu, a young Tanzanian girl, walks around in her home Buswelu Street, in the Mwanza region. She is wearing a black sweater, white trousers, and black sandals, with her back and half-braided hair exposed to the camera. The photo was taken by George Binagi, on November 4, 2024.
Edna Shaibu walks around in her home Buswelu Street, in the Mwanza region, in Tanzania: Photo credit: George Binagi, November 4, 2024.
Testimonies of Struggle and Resilience

Magreth Issa, a Nyakato National Street resident in the Mwanza region, shared how an early pregnancy derailed her lifelong dream of becoming a medical doctor. At just 13 years old she became pregnant while attending primary school in her home village of Kiziba in Tanzania’s Kagera region The repercussions were swift and severe: her parents expelled her from home upon discovering her pregnancy, and the father of her child vanished, leaving her homeless for several months. According to the traditions of her Kiziba village, an unmarried pregnancy was seen as a curse, and this belief was deeply rooted in the importance placed on dowries. Magreth noted that under these customs, no man would pay a bride price for a woman who had already given birth.

Magreth Issa is a middle-aged Tanzanian woman, who is arranging the goods in her cloth shop in Nyakato National Street, in the Mwanza region. She is wearing a pink-like long gown, with her half back being exposed to the camera. The photo was taken by George Binagi, on November 4, 2024.
Magreth Issa arranges the goods in her cloth shop, located on Nyakato National Street, in the Mwanza region, in Tanzania. Photo Credit: George Binagi, Novermber 4, 2024.

Eventually, a matrilineal aunt secretly accommodated her just weeks before she delivered a baby boy. After years of navigating the complexities of motherhood, she moved to Mwanza, where she first accessed reproductive health services. At the Buzuruga Health Center, she learned about birth control and practiced child spacing. However, even in light of her own reproductive struggles, she remains reluctant to discuss reproductive health openly with her 15-year-old daughter, fearing societal stigma.

Magreth’s story illustrates the urgent need for systemic change, particularly in rural areas where reproductive health services are scarce. She calls for government support to expand reproductive health education and services, emphasizing that open discussions about reproductive issues are vital for empowering young girls to make informed choices.

Magreth Issa stands in her shop which is located on Nyakato National Street, in the Mwanza region, in Tanzania. She calls for government support to expand reproductive health education and services, emphasizing that open discussions about reproductive issues are vital for empowering young girls to make informed choices. Photo Credit: George Binagi, November 4, 2024.

Lenarda Edmund, a 25-year-old mother living in the Kishiri outskirts of Mwanza, offers another perspective on women’s challenges in Tanzania. Lenarda has three children and wishes to have no more, but her husband insists on having at least six, just for prestige, to prove his manhood, a demand that has led to significant conflict. In June of this year, after her husband discovered she was taking oral contraceptives, their marriage deteriorated, culminating in separation. Lenarda’s experience underscores the financial and emotional toll of restrictive gender norms that prioritize family size over women’s health.

Her narrative reveals a critical need for awareness campaigns aimed at dismantling the harmful belief that having many children equates to masculinity. Lenarda is acutely aware of the financial strain her family faces.

Lenarda Edmund fills charcoal in small buckets for sale, at her business area in Kishiri Street, in the Mwanza region, in Tanzania. Photo Credit: George Binagi, November 5, 2024.

Their income from pebble crushing barely covers basic needs. Her advocacy for public education on reproductive rights reflects a broader societal need to empower women to make choices that align with their health needs rather than societal pressures.

Lenarda Edmund, a young Tanzanian woman, is holding a buck full of charcoal for sale, at her business area on Kishiri Street, in the Mwanza region. She is wearing a small piece of cloth on her head, brown colored. Her full body is exposed to the camera, but her face goes unidentified. The photo was taken by George Binagi, on November 5, 2024.
Lenarda Edmund holds up the bucket full of charcoal for sale, at her business area in Kishiri Street, in the Mwanza region, in Tanzania. Photo Credit: George Binagi, November 5, 2024.

Edna Shaibu (protected identity), a 17-year-old secondary school graduate, represents the younger generation’s struggle to navigate reproductive health issues amidst societal stigma. Through school clubs, she has learned about contraceptive options and the importance of avoiding early pregnancies. However, she and her peers often feel compelled to hide their use of contraceptives due to the pervasive stigma surrounding unmarried girls’ sexual health. Edna emphasizes the need for comprehensive public education that normalizes discussions about reproductive health and contraception.

A Call for Systemic Change

These testimonies weave together a narrative that underscores the urgent need for systemic change in Tanzania’s reproductive health landscape. The intersection of cultural beliefs and healthcare access creates a challenging environment for women navigating reproductive health issues. The experiences of Magreth, Lenarda, and Edna highlight the interconnectedness of reproductive rights and women’s rights, emphasizing that addressing these issues is not merely a matter of healthcare access but a broader societal challenge requiring a shift in cultural attitudes.

To effect meaningful change, Tanzania must prioritize comprehensive reproductive health services, particularly in rural and Indigenous communities. This includes increasing access to contraception, improving healthcare infrastructure, and enhancing reproductive health and rights education. Public awareness campaigns should aim to dismantle harmful cultural beliefs that perpetuate stigma and discrimination against women seeking reproductive healthcare.

Tanzania’s existing legal framework supports reproductive rights, including the National Health Policy and the National Reproductive Health Strategy, which aim to integrate sexual and reproductive health into primary healthcare systems. However, implementation remains a challenge. Civil society organizations play a crucial role in advocating for women’s rights and pushing for policy reforms that address the needs of marginalized groups (Tanzania Ministry of Health, 2021).

Reproductive Rights as Women’s Rights

Ultimately, the stories of Magreth, Lenarda, and Edna serve as powerful calls to action for policymakers, healthcare providers, and society. By amplifying their voices and addressing the systemic barriers they face, we can work toward a future where all women in Tanzania can access the reproductive health services they need and deserve. Reproductive rights must be recognized as fundamental women’s rights, integral to achieving gender equity and improving communities’ overall health and well-being.

Tanzania stands at a pivotal moment in its quest for reproductive justice. The path forward requires a collective commitment to dismantling the cultural and systemic barriers that hinder women’s access to reproductive healthcare. By prioritizing education, expanding services, and promoting open dialogue about reproductive health, we can empower women like Magreth, Lenarda, and Edna to make informed choices that will ultimately lead to healthier families and communities. This is not just a women’s issue but a societal imperative demanding immediate attention and action.

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About the Author

Abela Msikula is a news reporter with Tanzania Standard Newspapers Limited, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Tumaini University of Iringa-Tanzania (currently the University of Iringa), with more than 10 years of experience in the industry.