WiLDAF Tanzania

WiLDAF Tanzania is the Tanzanian national chapter of Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF), a Pan-African women's rights network that uses law as a tool to transform the lives of women and girls. The parent network was founded in 1990 in Harare, Zimbabwe, and has grown into a continent-wide movement dedicated to amplifying women's roles and impact from the community to the international level. WiLDAF Tanzania operates across Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar Island, working closely with policymakers, women's rights organizations, networks and coalitions to influence gender policies and practices. The organization's stated vision is a just society that embraces gender equality and women's rights, and its mission is to enhance women's empowerment and equality through law, networking and advocacy in all aspects of development. Its core programme areas include access to justice for women, girls and other marginalized citizens; ending gender-based violence against women and children; women's leadership and feminist movements; bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); women's economic justice and rights; and partnership and institutional capacity building. WiLDAF Tanzania provides free legal services to women and children who cannot afford to hire advocates. This service is accessible through a toll-free line (0800780070) and the Funguka App, as well as through legal aid clinics located at its offices in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Zanzibar. The organization reports having reached 26,303 women's rights beneficiaries to end gender-based violence and having economically empowered 937 adolescent and young women. It was a 2025 Human Rights Embassy Tulip Award winner. WiLDAF Tanzania is a pioneer of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Tanzania, having participated since 1997. It also claims credit for a groundbreaking provision in the election act that prohibits violence against women in elections. The organization's values are accountability, inclusivity, solidarity, dignity and volunteerism. It mobilizes gender equality movements to support collective actions with feminist causes and supports women's rights movements by providing platforms and advocacy opportunities.

Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) was founded in 1990 in Harare, Zimbabwe, as a Pan-African network dedicated to amplifying women's roles and impact from the community to international levels, advocating for gender equality as both a fundamental right and a cornerstone for global prosperity and peace. The network grew into a continent-wide movement that uses law as a tool to transform the lives of women and girls. WiLDAF Tanzania is the Tanzanian national chapter of this network. It operates in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar Island, working closely with policymakers and women's rights organizations to influence gender policies and practices. The organization facilitates dialogues on key issues and mobilizes gender equality movements to support collective actions with feminist causes. Together with its networks and coalitions, it implements projects in communities to change narratives, supports women's rights movements by providing platforms and advocacy opportunities, and influences policy changes to ensure that women's rights are promoted and protected. A significant milestone for WiLDAF Tanzania has been its contribution to law and policy reform. The organization describes as groundbreaking the recent provision in the election act that prohibits violence against women in elections, which it says is its brainchild. It has also strengthened laws and policies to promote gender equality and women's empowerment. WiLDAF Tanzania has been a pioneer of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign in Tanzania since 1997. The campaign is a key part of its work to raise awareness and inspire change, with the message that "Silence never solved anything. Speak up against violence, and let your voice be heard!" In terms of direct service delivery, WiLDAF Tanzania provides free legal services to women and children who cannot afford to hire advocates. This is delivered through a toll-free line (0800780070), the Funguka App, and legal aid clinics at its offices in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Zanzibar. The organization reports having reached 26,303 women's rights beneficiaries to end gender-based violence and having economically empowered 937 adolescent and young women. In 2025, it was recognized as a Human Rights Embassy Tulip Award winner. The organization's work is guided by values of accountability, inclusivity, solidarity, dignity and volunteerism. Its vision is a just society that embraces gender equality and women's rights, and its mission is to enhance women's empowerment and equality through law, networking and advocacy in all aspects of development.

• 2025

  WiLDAF Tanzania recognized as a Human Rights Embassy Tulip Award winner.

• 1997

  WiLDAF Tanzania begins participating in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.

• 1990

  WiLDAF founded in Harare, Zimbabwe.

A Pan-African women's rights network using law as a tool to transform the lives of women and girls, operating in Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

• Free legal aid services

  Legal service to women and children who cannot afford to hire advocates.

• Funguka App

  Mobile app connecting users to immediate guidance and support.

• Toll-free legal help line 0800780070

  Free legal assistance hotline.

• Legal aid clinics

  Clinics located at offices in Dar es Salaam, Shinyanga and Zanzibar.

1. 1WiLDAF Tanzaniawildaftanzania.or.tz
2. 2About – WiLDAF Tanzaniawildaftanzania.or.tz
3. 3WiLDAF Tanzaniawikidata.org