Tanzanians gather for International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations.
For countless women across Tanzania, cooking with firewood and charcoal is not just a routine domestic task—it is a major source of health problems, environmental degradation, and lost economic opportunity. Every day, women and girls walk long distances to gather firewood, exposing themselves to risks and sacrificing time that could be spent in education, entrepreneurship, or with their families. Traditional cooking fuels also emit toxic smoke that harms respiratory health, especially for women, children, and the elderly who spend more time near cooking fires. This year, on International Women’s Day, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Tanzania joined the vibrant celebrations in Nachingwea, Lindi, to champion a practical, life-changing solution: clean cooking energy.
The event, organized by the Lindi regional government, brought together inspiring women entrepreneurs and key stakeholders to recognize the pivotal role of women in sustainable development. It also served as a platform to accelerate meaningful action toward environmental sustainability and gender empowerment. Represented by Nachingwea District Commissioner Hon. Mohamed Moyo, local leaders emphasized the importance of partnerships in addressing long-standing community challenges. GPF Tanzania, as a strategic development partner in the region, demonstrated this commitment by distributing 30 eco-friendly gas cylinders to help families transition to cleaner, safer cooking solutions.
This intervention is more than a handout; it is a strategic move toward long-term impact. As Peter Edson, Program Zonal Manager at GPF Tanzania, explained during the event, the reliance on firewood and charcoal is not only economically burdensome for households but also a major threat to forests and public health. “By promoting the use of alternative clean cooking energy solutions,” he said, “we are taking a step towards reducing deforestation, improving health outcomes, and enabling women entrepreneurs to operate more efficiently.”
GPF Tanzania distributes eco-friendly gas cylinders to help families transition to cleaner, safer cooking solutions.
The data is sobering. According to Tanzania’s 2021–2031 National Forest Policy Implementation Strategy, approximately 469,420 hectares of forest are cleared every year, with a significant portion attributed to firewood and charcoal production. Moreover, the 2021–2026 Comprehensive Environmental Conservation and Restoration Campaign Plan reports that around 16% of the country’s land has already turned into desert due to environmental mismanagement and overexploitation. These figures highlight the urgent need to shift toward sustainable energy alternatives—not just for environmental reasons but also to preserve livelihoods and protect future generations.
The gas cylinders provided by GPF are particularly aimed at women and elderly entrepreneurs. These groups often bear the brunt of energy poverty and are disproportionately affected by the negative consequences of traditional cooking methods. Transitioning to clean cooking energy means safer households, less time spent collecting firewood, more efficient businesses, and better overall health for families. It also allows women to channel their energy into more productive ventures, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and economic growth.
Global Peace Women (GPW), GPF’s partner in peacebuilding, works across borders to strengthen families and uplift the value and dignity of women. GPW programs emphasize the vital leadership of women in the family and community and equip them to become agents of peacebuilding. Whether through parenting education, intergenerational dialogue, or initiatives like the Sunshine Family Volunteers, GPW fosters a culture of service and mutual respect that begins in the home and ripples outward. In Tanzania and beyond, GPW has championed the integration of women’s voices in peace and development processes, ensuring their perspectives shape sustainable and inclusive solutions.
Clean cooking energy is not just an environmental solution; it is a matter of dignity, equality, and opportunity. By supporting initiatives that empower women and champion sustainability, we lay the foundation for stronger families and thriving communities.
Learn more about GPW’s work in Uplifting Women’s Value and Dignity.
