Mgusuhi Maswi

My work is driven by a profound commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women/girls to realize their full potential. I am dedicated to ensuring that their rights are protected and their dreams are realized which is why I work to push for systemic change as essential element to creating a more just and equitable world. In my advocacy, I strive to address the root causes of gender inequality by engaging in legal reforms, policy advocacy, and community mobilization. My approach is grounded in a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding gender issues and a passion for creating tangible, sustainable solutions. Whether working on legislative changes, conducting capacity-building sessions, or facilitating dialogues, my goal is to uplift and support the voices of those who are often marginalized and to drive impactful change at both local and global levels.

Background:
Mgusuhi is a Tanzanian lawyer dedicated to advocate for gender equality, women’s and children’s rights. She is an ambitious human rights activist and an enthusiast for social justice with experience spanning in legal practice, program management, community engagement and policy advocacy. Recently, Mgusuhi has completed her 1 year fellowship – Waging Justice for Women Fellowship (Inaugural) awarded to 10 young women advocates from 10 different countries in Africa by the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ). She was the only fellow from Tanzania, and was placed at Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU) focusing her work on supporting initiatives that protect and promote the rights of women and girls across Africa.

Following the completion of the fellowship, Mgusuhi is currently retained at PALU as a gender focal person where she plays a critical role in shaping the organization’s gender policies, ensuring gender mainstreaming in PALU’s programs and leading all gender justice efforts within the organisation.

In her past roles, Mgusuhi has served as an Education Champion (Tanzania Chapter) with Malala Fund, collaborating with other champions both locally and globally to advocate for girls’ rights to access free, quality, and safe education. Her work was instrumental in promoting gender-responsive education policies in Tanzania, working directly with communities and stakeholders to address barriers to girls’ education. Mgusuhi has also held the Program Manager position at Msichana Initiative Organization, a prominent Tanzanian organization advocating for the rights of girls and women. She overseed the whole program team and led multiple projects that addressed sexual and reproductive health rights, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). Prior to being promoted as a Program Manager, she served as a Legal Officer and concurrently held the role of Girls’ Education Focal Person. In this capacity, she advocated for policy changes, and fostered partnerships that advanced the rights and opportunities of girls and women.

Her commitment to gender equality and justice extends to her volunteer work. As she began her career, Mgusuhi volunteered with the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA) an NGO focusing to protect the rights of women and children welfare through legal avenues. Her time with TAWLA gained experience engaging with community-based legal support initiatives, providing her with practical exposure to the legal challenges faced by women and children in Tanzania. Throughout her professional journey, Mgusuhi has leveraged her voice, expertise and skills to champion the rights of women and girls at national, regional and international level.

Areas of expertise:
Legal practice, Gender Equality and Women Empowerment, Project Management, Policy Advocacy and Influencing, Training and Capacity Building, Program Management, Community Mobilization, Communication and Advocacy Campaigns, Youth engagement.

Current Projects:
Breaking the Silence and Ending the Cycle: Advocating against Child Marriages in Tanzania. (WOSSO Project)
Research on Sexual Harassment Laws in all African Countries.
Women Inheritance Rights in Africa.
Protection of digital rights and litigation of technology facilitated GBV for female journalists.

Affiliations:
Tanganyika Law Society (TLS)
East Africa Law Society (EALS)
Malala Fund Girls Education Champion Network
Clooney Foundation for Justice Alumni Network since July 2023
Msichana Initiative Organisation
Pan African Lawyers Union