Evaluating the Legal Regime Governing Citizenship for Women in Tanzania: An Analysis of International and Domestic Laws for Conferring Citizenship to Foreign Spouses.

Abstract

Purpose: This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of Section 11(1) of the Tanzania Citizenship Act, which restricts Tanzanian women from conferring citizenship to their foreign spouses. By examining both domestic and international legal frameworks, this study aims to shed light on the discriminatory nature of this provision and proposes potential strategies to eradicate this issue. Methodology: The paper combines a detailed examination of domestic legislations and relevant international conventions to provide a robust analysis of the current legal regime in Tanzania. Furthermore, it highlights the need for reform and suggests potential approaches to address this matter. Findings: This paper aimed at making an assessment on the effectiveness of the current citizenship law in regard to the women of Tanzania and thus the research will be carried out in Mwanza region in Tanzania. The paper also analyzed the provisions of international treaties that protect and declare rights and interests of women with regards to protection of their spouses. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: finally, this paper finds and recommends for the amendment especially the provision of section 11 (1) of the Tanzania Citizenship Act and also suggests the adoption and incorporation of the dual citizenship which will help resolving the issues surrounding citizenship.