Kusini Kwetu

By Vincent Mpepo

It has been emphasized that men in society should seek happiness and strengthen their bonds with their families in order to live longer, healthier lives in order to reduce mental health challenges, stress and the risks of early death when compared to women.

These insights were shared by participants in an online seminar for men, held on September 16, 2025. The seminar was organized by the Gender Unit of the Open University of Tanzania in collaboration with various stakeholders.

During the seminar, the former Vice Chancellor of the Open University of Tanzania, Professor Elifas Bisanda, shared his views on the biblical and historical relationship between men and women. He highlighted that historically, men were seen as the primary decision-makers in family matters, a dynamic that has since changed.

Professor Bisanda explained that in traditional African customs, the practice of a man paying dowry when marrying gave him power and authority over women, with the community expecting the man to be the source of success in the family.

He remarked, “The expectation was that the man would bring success to the household; if he failed, the whole family failed.”

However, as the world has moved towards modernization, many aspects have changed, and it is important to address how young boys are raised.

He pointed out that while there has been significant investment in empowering girls, much less focus has been placed on preparing boys to be men and husbands.

Professor Bisanda also discussed the unequal access to educational opportunities, noting that there are far more schools and educational programs for girls than for boys, which is a worrying trend for the future of boys.

He expressed concern that such disparities could lead to feelings of abandonment and hopelessness among boys, which might result in destructive behaviors such as drug abuse and gambling.

Dr. Ally Abdallah, a law lecturer at the Open University of Tanzania, discussed several theories that have historically shaped the role of men in society.

He explained that men were traditionally given greater authority due to their role as primary providers, though there is no scientific evidence supporting the idea that men inherently possess more power than women.

He emphasized that in today’s world, men need to shift their mindset to embrace the idea of equality, where both men and women have the capacity to contribute to family success.

“The idea that women were merely assistants or dependents is no longer valid,” Dr. Abdallah said.

He noted that the rise of women’s education, employment, and economic empowerment has led to increased conflicts, and sometimes the breakdown of marriages, due to shifting power dynamics and differing expectations between men and women.

He added that while biological gender roles, such as the ability of women to bear children, will remain, other social responsibilities like cooking and cleaning, which were once considered women’s duties, should now be shared between men and women.

Dr. Katanta Simwanza, a Senior Technical Advisor for Gender, Sexuality, Child Protection, and Family Health, discussed the importance of addressing gender issues, which he believes have contributed to many challenges faced by men today. “The painful truth is that many men are passing away prematurely due to gender-related issues,” Dr. Simwanza stated.

He further pointed out that there are significant benefits to couples working together in family settings. These benefits include shared vision and responsibilities, with women sometimes taking the lead in managing family resources. “In families where there is mutual respect and shared responsibility, the results are often more positive,” he said.

Dr. Simwanza stressed the importance of every family having clear guidelines and roles for each member to ensure that all family members are empowered and contribute effectively.

The seminar was organized by the Gender Department of the Open University of Tanzania, in partnership with the non-governmental organization MBS Trinity Care. The event aimed to raise awareness about the role of men in empowering women, breaking down harmful stereotypes, fostering gender cooperation, and encouraging men to become ambassadors for positive change in society.

The seminar, which was hosted by a journalist from the Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation (TBC), Njwaba Mwaijibe captured the attention of many participants and sparked diverse reactions.

This indicates the presence of challenges that require concerted efforts, particularly when it comes to raising and nurturing boys in society.