Women’s participation in sugarcane farming in Kilombero District, Tanzania, is significantly constrained by socio-economic and institutional barriers, including limited land ownership, restricted access to credit, gendered labor roles, wage disparities, and inadequate agricultural extension services. This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative surveys (n=200) and qualitative key informant interviews (n=20) and focus group discussions (n=6), to examine the extent of these challenges and identify opportunities for gender-responsive interventions. Findings revealed that only 28% of women owned land, with most farming on land controlled by male relatives or rented on short-term agreements. Limited land rights further restricted women’s access to credit, as only 35% successfully secured loans, compared to 62% of men. Women predominantly performed manual farming tasks, such as planting (85%) and weeding (85%), while men dominated mechanized activities (90%) and decision-making roles (88%). Additionally, women earned 30% less than men for similar agricultural tasks, exacerbating economic inequalities. Only 40% of women accessed agricultural extension services, largely due to time constraints linked to household responsibilities and gender biases in outreach programs. To promote gender equity, the study recommends strengthening land tenure policies, introducing women-focused financial initiatives, addressing labor inequalities, and improving the accessibility of agricultural extension services through flexible scheduling and targeted outreach. These findings underscore the need for policy reforms and institutional support to enhance women’s empowerment and economic participation in the sugarcane sector.