Reimagining Kungwi: the role of elder women in shaping gender equality in rural Tanzania

In many rural Tanzanian communities, deeply rooted gender norms continue to limit women’s economic opportunities and social agency. As a result, women are often sidelined from decision-making spaces, perpetuating inequality.

Gender-biased customs are upheld by both men and women. In fact, many elder women take on a leading role as Kungwi – traditional teachers of gendered topics who guide young women through cultural rites of passage related to marriage, sexuality, and domestic responsibility.

However, for one community in southern Tanzania, a shift is starting to occur. Elder female leaders – once seen as the guardians of tradition – are reshaping what it means to be Kungwi women, instead advocating for gender equality and driving women’s economic empowerment.

In the southerly Mtwara region, in the rural district of Tandahimba, a 15-women-strong group, called Mmahe Alinda, has been working with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF) to build skills in entrepreneurship, financial literacy, gender rights, leadership, and community mobilisation.

Equipped with this knowledge – as well as an initial contribution of 50 kilograms of raw cashew nuts that was contributed by the women themselves – Mmahe Alinda launched a cashew-processing business; a symbolic and practical first step toward economic self-reliance.

Prior to the training, the women had limited access to income-generating opportunities, relying on seasonal cultural ceremonies and subsistence activities for survival. Their potential to lead and influence broader community development was often overlooked.

What began as a modest enterprise quickly grew into a sustainable venture. Monthly sales increased, and so did the group’s confidence and visibility. Their success caught the attention of local leaders, including a Member of Parliament for their constituency, who offered financial support to expand their business.

However, economic success was only part of their story.

Using the advocacy skills they had learnt, Mmahe Alinda members began using their platform to address critical social issues. They launched awareness campaigns on gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SHRH), and the importance of girls’ education. At their local primary school, they spoke with students and parents about the importance of school attendance and discussed the challenges of early marriage.

Their messages carried weight, not only because of their recent economic success, but because of their status in the community. They are respected leaders with deep roots in the local culture – a culture which they now seek to evolve.

Just as Kungwi promote traditional gender norms, the women of Mmahe Alinda are working to promote norms that build equality for all. Their treasurer, an elder known for her wisdom and mentorship, summed up their journey:

Looking ahead, the Mmahe Alinda women’s group has set its focus on acquiring land and building a permanent office to institutionalise their work and expand their reach. Their story demonstrates that when investments are made in women’s leadership and economic agency, the returns are measured not only in income, but in dignity, voice, and long-term change.

The Mmahe Alinda women’s group is supported through AKF’s Advancing Gender Equality through Civil Society’s (AGECS) “Our Culture, Our Future” initiative, implemented by Faidika Wote Pamoja (FAWOPA) since June 2023. 

AGECS is a component of the Foundations for Education and Empowerment (F4EE) programme. AGECS aims to partner with local civil society organisations to address sociocultural barriers to gender equality and women’s empowerment.