Call for Participation: Tanzanian Men’s Day Conference 2026
Motto: The Tanzanian Man: Guardian of DIGNITY, Builder of Strong Families, and Light of National Development
Kauli Mbiu: Mwanaume wa Kitanzania: Mlinzi wa UTU, Mjenzi wa Familia Imara na Mwanga wa Maendeleo ya Taifa
Detailed of the call can be accessed here
Background
Although International Men’s Day exists, we Tanzanian men will mark our own Tanzanian Men’s Day for the third time on Thursday, 23rd April 2026. This day is commemorated annually on April 23, just a few days before the celebration of Union Day on April 26—the historic date in 1964 when the United Republic of Tanzania was formed. Tanzanian Men’s Day is distinct from International Men’s Day, and there are fundamental reasons for observing it on a different date. International Men’s Day was founded by Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh of Trinidad and Tobago, who formalized the celebration on November 19, 1999, linking it to his father’s birthday. While we respect that origin, Tanzanian men see no reason to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Teelucksingh’s father. Instead, we chose to establish our own commemoration a few days before Tanzania’s national birthday festivities (Union Day on April 26). This timing symbolizes our pride in the nation’s formation and underscores the connection between men’s contributions and the broader journey of building and sustaining the United Republic of Tanzania.
To mark the Tanzanian Men’s Day occasion, a two‑day indoor conference will be held at Cate Hotels, Morogoro, beginning on 22 April 2026 and culminating on 23 April 2026 with a celebration. The commemorations will bring together academics, practitioners, policymakers, and the youth to exchange knowledge and experiences on the evolving role of men in family, community, and national development. The event will combine scholarly paper presentations with field‑based insights, ensuring both theoretical and practical perspectives are represented.
There will be three side events happening on the first, second day, and third day. The Usiku wa Matumaini Youth Bonanza will be held on 22 April 2026 to be aligned with the evening of the first day of the Tanzanian Men’s Day commemorations. It will be an evening-to-midnight event blending cultural symbolism, youth creativity, and modern entertainment into one unforgettable experience. A night of elegance and symbolism, celebrating Tanzanian men’s contributions alongside the women and communities who walk with them. The Simba and Yanga Tanzanian Men’s Night is the grand climax of Tanzanian Men’s Day on 23 April 2026. The event will host older men (above youth age) from all works of live, their partners, and VIPs (ministers, business leaders, and dignitaries) balancing prestige, cultural depth, and modern sophistication. The Morogoro Heritage and Safari Experience for 24 April 2026, the day after the climax of Tanzanian Men’s Day, is a tour that blends wildlife adventure, cultural immersion, and relaxation, making it ideal for both local and international guests who want to extend the celebrations into exploration.
Objectives
The objectives of the conference include to:
Provide a national platform for dialogue on men’s roles in society.
Strengthen collaboration between universities, colleges, NGOs, media, government, and private sector.
Celebrate Tanzanian Men’s Day with recognition of contributions and commitments.
Generate actionable recommendations for policy and practice.
Events
This Call for Participation involves four interconnected events, each designed to highlight different dimensions of men’s roles in family, community, and national development. An interested participant is free to join one event or engage in all four, depending on personal interest, professional focus, or organizational mandate. Together, these events form a holistic platform that blends scholarship, youth creativity, cultural heritage, and prestigious celebration.
The following is a comprehensive guide to the conference, celebrations, and side events, all of which emphasize: A man’s responsibility to the family as a guardian of dignity. His role in promoting gender equality and respectful partnership with women. His contribution to national development through leadership, innovation, and cultural pride.
1. Call for Scientific Papers (TAJOCODE Special Issue)
Audience: Academics, researchers, and practitioners.
Focus: Submission of original studies and field-based insights on men’s evolving roles in society.
Outcome: Selected papers will be presented during the conference and published in a Special Issue of TAJOCODE, ensuring scholarly impact and policy relevance.
Value: Provides a national and international platform for evidence-based dialogue and knowledge dissemination.
Participation fee for a day: Tshs 100,000
Detailed call of the papers can be accessed here
2. Usiku wa Matumaini Youth Night Bonanza (22 April 2026)
Theme: “Youth Power, National Pride” (Nguvu ya Vijana, Fahari ya Taifa).
Highlights:
Keynote addresses and symbolic unity rituals.
Torchlight parade and creative anthem remix.
Fashion parade showcasing youth-designed outfits inspired by Tanzanian heritage.
Innovation hub with VR experiences, digital walls, and youth pitch sessions.
Dance marathons, music battles, and comedy performances.
Value: Celebrates youth energy, creativity, and innovation while linking men’s responsibilities to intergenerational dialogue and national pride.
Participation fees: Tshs 10,000
Details about the event can be accessed at here
3. Simba na Yanga Men’s Memorable Night (23 April 2026)
Theme: “Strength, Legacy, and Partnership” (Nguvu, Urithi, Ushirikiano).
Highlights:
Red carpet arrival with Maasai warriors and cultural symbolism.
Keynote addresses and symbolic unity rituals.
Fine dining, cultural interludes, and recognition awards.
Midnight toast and fireworks celebrating men’s dignity and partnership with women.
Value: A prestigious evening for senior men, leaders, and dignitaries, reinforcing heritage, respect, and modern sophistication.
Participation Fees
Single (a gentlemen or a lady): Tshs 70,000
Double (a gentleman with a lady): Tshs 100,000
Triple (a gentleman with two ladies): Tshs 160,000
Details about the event can be accessed at here
4. Morogoro Heritage and Safari Experience (24 April 2026)
Theme: “Exploration, Culture, and Reflection”.
Highlights:
Safari at Mikumi National Park with AR-enhanced wildlife viewing.
Cultural immersion through cooking demos, storytelling, and handicraft exhibitions.
Artistic fusion workshops blending taarab, bongo flava, and ngoma.
Sunset ceremony and candlelit dinner at Uluguru Mountains.
Value: Extends the Men’s Day celebrations into cultural exploration, relaxation, and reflection, appealing to both local and international guests.
Participation Fees: Tshs 100,000
Details about the event can be accessed at here
Conclusion
By offering these four diverse yet interconnected events, the Tanzanian Men’s Day Conference 2026 ensures that every participant—whether a scholar, youth, leader, or community member—finds a meaningful space to engage. Each event reinforces the central message: the Tanzanian man as a guardian of dignity, a builder of strong families, and a light of national
development. The Tanzanian Men’s Day Conference 2026 is more than just a celebration; it is a decisive step toward redefining the male identity in the context of our unique Tanzanian heritage. By aligning our commemorations with the birth of our nation (Union Day), we emphasize that a strong nation is built upon the foundation of responsible, dignified, and engaged men.
Whether through the scholarly rigor of TAJOCODE, the vibrant energy of the Youth Bonanza, the prestigious Simba Men’s Night, or the immersive Heritage Experience, this event provides a holistic platform to strengthen the fabric of our society.
We invite all stakeholders—government bodies, private sector leaders, civil society, and the general public—to join us in Morogoro. Your participation will help turn these dialogues into actionable change, ensuring that the Tanzanian man remains a true Guardian of Dignity and a Light of National Development.
To learn more about the Tanzanian Men’s Day click the following links: (english) and (swahili)
Annual action plan of the event can be accessed here
The Organizing and Advisory Committee for Tanzanian Men’s Day
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
1. NaCoNGO (Morogoro Office): Otanamusu Nicholaus
2. SHIWACHANDO (Organization for Men Facing Challenges in Marriage)
3. Affirmative Action on Gender Equality Network (AGEN)
Prof. Rasel Madaha (raselmpuya@gmail.com and rasel.madaha@agentz.org)
4. Rujewa Integrated Efforts to Fight Poverty (RIEFP – Remigius Mdetele)
5. PELUM Tanzania
6. Kiwamwaku Foundation (Ezekiel Dembere)
Professional and Academic Entities
1. Tanzania Journal of Community Development (TAJOCODE)
Prof. Rasel Madaha (raselmpuya@gmail.com and rasel.madaha@agentz.org)
2. CODEPATA – Community Development Professional Association of Tanzania, Eastern Zone
Matilda Mwita (matildamwita8@gmail.com)
Advisors
1. Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Department of Male Engagement
Mr. Isaya Mihinzo (ps@jamii.go.tz clearly state in the subject line or opening that the message is intended for Mr. Isaya Mihinzo (Department of Male Engagement) regarding the Organizing and Advisory Committee for Tanzanian Men’s Day)
2. The United Republic of Tanzania President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government Morogoro Region, Department of Community Development
Delphina Pacho (dellypacho2012@gmail.com)
Elizabeth Magagula elizabeth.magagula@morogoro.go.tz
If you would like to join us, please send an email to following contacts below
Email: conference@agentz.org, and inquiries@agentz.org with copies to dellypacho2012@gmail.com and elizabeth.magagula@morogoro.go.tz
Secretary of the organizing committee:
Daniel Magoma Sospeter Ndege
Email: dsospeter0@gmail.com
Chief Coordinator of the Organizing Committee
Prof. Rasel Madaha
Email rasel.madaha@agentz.org with copies to raselmpuya@gmail.com
Conference Website: https://www.agentz.org/index.php/conferences/