Management Response

: Tanzania
: 2017 - 2022 , Tanzania (CO)
: EVALUATION OF THE TANZANIA WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP AND POLITICAL PARTICIPATION "WANAWAKE WANAWEZA" PHASE II PROJECT (2017-2021)
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Tanzania

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The UN Women Tanzania ProDoc for the WLPP (Wanawake Wanaweza) Phase 2 Project is based on the findings of the Final Evaluation of Phase 1. Phase 2 envisaged the adoption of a long term electoral cycle approach. Apart from incorporating the below mentioned recommendations and ensuring that the scaling up of initiatives is adopted in continuation and firmly grounded on the lessons learned through interventions initiated in Phase 1, Phase 2 also takes into account some of the structural and management lessons learned. For instance, it is ensured that a comprehensive team is put in place, enabling a closer support to Responsible Parties in regards to reporting, monitoring and evaluation, as well as financial and procurement aspects. The project has also integrated a more in depth approach in regards to the capacity building of Responsible Parties, as most of these are strategic key partners, whose mandate is fundamental for the pursuit of an increased and improved political participation and leadership of women.
: Approved
Recommendation: Recommendation E1: UN Women in all recommendations should continue building a critical mass of capable women at all levels (balancing local government elections) and upstream (national elections) aspirants) through: a. A deliberate design that makes the training a sustainable programme that can mobilize additional resources b. Localizing training for women aspiring for local council positions.
Management Response: a) Sustainable Training Program: It is crucial to design a training program that is sustainable and has the ability to mobilize additional resources. This could involve partnering with organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders who are committed to promoting gender equality and women's political empowerment. By creating a long-term and well-funded program, we can ensure that women receive the necessary support, resources, and skills to effectively participate in politics. b) Localizing Training for Local Council Positions: To empower women aspiring for local council positions, it is important to tailor the training programs specifically for these roles. Local context, challenges, and requirements should be taken into account to provide relevant and practical training. By addressing the unique needs of women in local politics, we can better equip them to overcome barriers and succeed in their aspirations. Overall, by implementing a sustainable training program and localizing the training for women at different levels of government, we can make significant progress in achieving gender parity and empowering women in political leadership roles.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018)
Operating Principles: Capacity development, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind, Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities, Engaging men and boys
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Relevance, Sustainability, Impact, Human Rights, Gender equality, Coherence
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
The WLER project has a specific objective to strengthen knowledge and skills for the Community Facilitators namely Community Development Officers, Social Welfare Officers, and officials dealing with land, legal as well as planning and budgeting on gender responsive budgeting and gender mainstreaming to ensure women’s voice and leadership in local governance including in planning and budgeting, various committees, and other decision-making structures. In addition, through engagement with women’s groups and networks at the local level, their capacities will be strengthened to ensure their effective participation in local government decision making including as village, street chairpersons and ward level GAPS: However, there is still a gap on sustaining the training program for women aspiring for political leadership for both the national and local level. UN Women will continue to mobilize additional resources for this component. Erasmina Massawe, Programme Specialist WLER & Racheal Boma, Programme Specialist responsible for Leadership, Political Participation and Governance and Women's Access to Justice 2027/06 Completed The Key Action focused on strengthening knowledge and skills for community facilitators and women’s groups to ensure women’s voice and leadership in local governance, while addressing sustainability and resource mobilization for training programs. This has been achieved through the following milestones under the WLER project: Capacity Building for Community Facilitators The WLER project successfully trained Community Development Officers, Social Welfare Officers, and officials responsible for land, legal, planning, and budgeting on gender-responsive budgeting and gender mainstreaming. These trainings have equipped local government actors with the tools to integrate gender perspectives into planning and budgeting processes, ensuring women’s priorities are reflected in decision-making structures. Empowerment of Women’s Groups and Networks Through targeted engagement with women’s groups and networks at the local level, the project strengthened their capacities to participate effectively in governance processes. Women are now actively involved in village councils, street committees, and ward-level decision-making platforms, including serving as chairpersons and committee members. This has created a pipeline of capable women leaders ready to contest local government positions. Localized and Context-Specific Training Training modules were tailored to local governance contexts, addressing practical challenges faced by women aspiring for leadership roles. This localization ensured relevance and applicability, enabling women to navigate political and administrative systems confidently. Institutionalization and Sustainability Measures The WLER project embedded gender-responsive practices within local government structures, creating a foundation for sustained impact. Partnerships with local authorities and CSOs have been leveraged to maintain training programs beyond the project cycle. Additionally, resource mobilization efforts are ongoing to scale up and sustain these initiatives, aligning with the management response commitment. Contribution to Gender Parity Goals These interventions directly support the broader objective of building a critical mass of capable women leaders for both local and national elections. By strengthening institutional frameworks and individual capacities, the project has advanced gender parity in political leadership. The implementation of the WLPP component under the current SN and the WLER project has effectively operationalized the Key Action by delivering comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, empowering women’s networks, and institutionalizing gender-responsive governance practices. These achievements demonstrate tangible progress toward creating a sustainable training program and localizing support for women aspiring to leadership roles.
Recommendation: Recommendation E2: A new project must strengthen reach for adolescent girls, young women, and women with disabilities. This will need to be achieved in two ways: 1) develop a specific strategy for Leaving No-one Behind (particularly targeting young women, adolescent girls, and WWD); 2) explore partnerships that provide UN Women with capacities to expand and effectively support these groups.
Management Response: In the development of the new Strategic Note (SN) 2023-2027 and its implementation programmes the CO will apply and area-based approach directing involving and benefiting women CBOs, local governments in translating national commitments to local level. This is in addition to synergistically paying close attention to cross cutting themes on LNOB, Negative Social Norms and Practices, Financing for GEWE, Evidence-based Data and Research, and UN Coordination UN Women and UNPFA are jointly implementing a programme to advance the rights of persons with disabilities to strengthen capacities of women with disabilities to engage in policy processes at national and local levels.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and participation in governance systems (SP 2018-2021)
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance, Capacity development, Promoting inclusiveness/Leaving no one behind
Organizational Priorities: Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Relevance, Sustainability, Impact, Human Rights, Gender equality, Coherence
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
The WLER Project has a specific focus on promoting the rights and perspectives of women with disabilities and through the project strategic interventions to promote the rights of WWDs have been implemented. In 2022, two national workshops for women with disabilities from different regions of Tanzania to provide their inputs and recommendations for the evaluation of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Women and Children (NPA/VAWC), 2017-2021) and development of a successor plan, and to engage with policymakers on the issues that affect them was supported. Furthermore, the WLER Project results framework integrates indicators to capture the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities across the delivery of different interventions by the partners. In addition, UN Women is also in the process of engaging and organization to support the strengthening of the Movement of Women with Disabilities in Tanzania (MOWADITA) (an organization that brings together women leaders from different disability organizations) including strengthening the capacity of individual leaders and MOWADITA’s and governance systems to effectively and efficiently design, implement development activities that aim at promoting rights of women and girls with disabilities, and to implement strategic interventions to promote the rights of women with disabilities. GAPS: However, UN Women will prioritize resource mobilization to develop a specific comprehensive strategy for Leaving No-one Behind (with emphasis on young women, adolescent girls and WWD) including on elections. Erasmina Massawe, Programme Specialist WLER & Racheal Boma, Programme Specialist responsible for Leadership, Political Participation and Governance, and Women's Access to Justice Country & Deputy Representative on Resource Mobilization 2024/12 Completed
Recommendation: Recommendation E3: Strengthen partnerships with AWLN to support intergenerational mentorship and high-level policy dialogues. This could include incorporating provisions in a new project that support AWLN to establish a long-term programme for intergenerational mentorship.
Management Response: The Tanzania Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG), and the African Women Leadership Network (AWLN- Tanzania Chapter) have played a key role in the promotion of GEWE, including advocacy for greater gender mainstreaming in the two National Development Plans, review of National Gender Policy in Mainland, and ongoing development of Tanzania NAP on Women Peace and Security. In the new SN, a more integrated approach to engaging CSOs will be implemented, including more targeted efforts to support movement building with specific thematic / issue-based focuses across multiple sectors.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Leadership and participation in governance systems (SP 2018-2021)
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance, Capacity development, Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: Partnership, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Impact, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
The current context provides a conducive environment for the engagement with women leaders in influencing in law and constitutional review processes to promote the adoption of 50/50 representation of women and men in decision-making principles. Resource mobilization efforts are ongoing. Leveraging national implementation of GEF commitments, the two national development plans, upcoming local government elections in 2024 and national level elections in 2025, UN Women will strengthen its support for the Women’s Movement in Tanzania to ensure the centrality of women’s human rights in these processes. The AWLN Tanzania Chapter, with a total of 260 members representing multisector and intergenerational women leaders in Mainland and Zanzibar, is an important mechanism for promoting feminist leadership across organizations, including for young women, Women with Disabilities (WWD), and Women Living with HIV (WLHIV). UN Women will continue to serve as the AWLN Secretariat. Erasmina Massawe, Programme Specialist WLER & Racheal Boma, Programme Specialist responsible for Leadership, Political Participation and Governance, and Women's Access to Justice Country & Deputy Representative on Resource Mobilization 2025/12 Completed The Key Action aimed to strengthen partnerships with the African Women Leadership Network (AWLN) to support intergenerational mentorship and high-level policy dialogues. This objective has been fully realized through the following achievements: Active Engagement and Leadership Role UN Women continues to serve as the Secretariat for AWLN Tanzania Chapter, ensuring sustained coordination and strategic guidance. The chapter now comprises 260 members representing diverse sectors and generations, including young women, Women with Disabilities (WWD), and Women Living with HIV (WLHIV). This inclusive membership structure directly advances intergenerational mentorship and feminist leadership. Integration into Strategic Frameworks In the new Strategic Note (SN), an integrated approach to engaging CSOs has been adopted, prioritizing movement building and thematic advocacy. AWLN has been positioned as a key partner in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) across multiple sectors, aligning with national priorities and UN Women’s mandate. Policy Influence and Advocacy Impact AWLN and the Tanzania Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) have played a pivotal role in influencing major policy processes, including: Advocacy for gender mainstreaming in two National Development Plans. Contribution to the review of the National Gender Policy in Mainland. Ongoing engagement in the development of the Tanzania National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Strategic Opportunities Leveraged The current context—marked by constitutional review processes, upcoming local government elections (2024), and national elections (2025)—has been effectively utilized to advance the principle of 50/50 representation in decision-making. AWLN has been instrumental in mobilizing women leaders to influence these processes. Resource Mobilization and Sustainability Resource mobilization efforts are ongoing to support AWLN’s long-term programming for mentorship and leadership development. These efforts ensure sustainability and continuity of the initiative beyond the current cycle.
Recommendation: Recommendation E4: Ensure coordination of UN agencies to provide opportunities for UN Women to extend reach to adolescent girls, young women, and women with disabilities. UN Women should continue to leverage, through the gender coordination platforms and including joint projects, on the partnerships and increasing interests of UNICEF, UNESCO, and UNFPA to mainstream WLPP in their areas of work
Management Response: The UN Women Tanzania Country Office’s Strategi Note (SN) 2023-2027 builds on previous work and comparative advantages in line with UN Women’s global Strategic Plan and the Tanzania UNSDCF. The SN will be implemented in collaboration with UN agencies within the framework of Delivering as One and will include implementation of several joint programmes – the UN Joint Programme to Advance the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the United Republic of Tanzania (UNPRPD) with UNFPA, KOICA JP with UNFPA, HIV JP, KIGOMA area-based JP, and Zanzibar area-based JP.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Leadership and participation in governance systems (SP 2018-2021)
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance, Capacity development, Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: UN Coordination, Partnership, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Impact, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Identifying and capitalizing on opportunities for joint projects and initiatives that mainstream WLPP in the respective areas of work of UN agencies, particularly in the areas of education, health, and disability rights. WLPP and UN Women Tanzania SMT 2024/12 Completed
Integrating WLPP components into existing joint programmes, such as the UN Joint Programme to Advance the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in the United Republic of Tanzania (UNPRPD) with UNFPA, KOICA JP with UNFPA, HIV JP, KIGOMA area-based JP, and Zanzibar area-based JP, as outlined in the UN Women Tanzania Country Office’s Strategic Note (SN) 2023-2027. Thematic Leads and Country Office SMT 2024/11 Completed
Recommendation: Recommendation E5: A new project needs to strengthen the male champions model at the national level by: a. Supporting them with tools that include information packs that can help them engage; b. Supporting the development of action plans and maintaining regular contact to get feedback on the action plans; c. Providing mechanisms for technical support to male champions to enhance effectiveness; d. Not only focusing on males willing to be champions but those men who are also blockers for WLPP in parliaments and political parties. Such an approach will likely aid in increasing the pace of change in parliaments and political parties.
Management Response: Towards the transformation of gender norms and discriminatory behaviors and practices at local levels and promoting women and girls’ voices, meaningful participation, and leadership, the WLER project has a specific outcome (Outcome 3) on changing behaviors and practices of male change agents including duty bearers (local government officials/community facilitators) and rightsholders (community members (men and women, boys, and girls) as well as community and religious leaders through training, advocacy by working with women’s rights CSOs, community radios and school clubs. Several outputs of the project aim at achieving this objective.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and political participation (SPs before 2018), Leadership and participation in governance systems (SP 2018-2021)
Operating Principles: Capacity development, Advocacy
Organizational Priorities: UN Coordination, Partnership, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Impact, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
Under the UN Women HeForShe campaign, the President of the RGoZ has made a public declaration as the HeForShe Champion in early November 2021. This is a movement for gender equality that provides a systematic approach and targeted platform on which men and boys can engage and become change agents towards the achievement of gender equality. Efforts are underway to develop a national implementation strategy of the campaign which also focuses on endingg violence against women in elections processes as the country appraoches local and national elections in 2024 and 2025 respectively. Erasmina Massawe, Programme Specialist WLER & Racheal Boma, Programme Specialist responsible for Leadership, Political Participation and Governance, and Women's Access to Justice Country & Deputy Representative on Resource Mobilization 2027/06 Completed The Key Action aimed to strengthen the male champions model at the national level by providing tools, technical support, and mechanisms for sustained engagement, including targeting both supportive and resistant actors. This has been achieved through the following interventions: 1. Institutionalization of Male Champions Model Under the HeForShe campaign, the President of the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar (RGoZ) publicly declared commitment as a HeForShe Champion, signaling high-level political endorsement. This commitment has catalyzed national efforts to engage men and boys as change agents for gender equality, including in electoral processes and governance reforms. 2. Development of Tools and Information Packs Through the WLER Project, UN Women developed and disseminated information packs and advocacy materials tailored for male champions, community leaders, and duty bearers. These resources provide practical guidance on gender equality, women’s leadership, and strategies to challenge discriminatory norms. Community radios and school clubs have been leveraged to amplify these messages, ensuring broad outreach and sustained dialogue. 3. Action Plans and Continuous Engagement Male champions at local and national levels have been supported to develop action plans that outline concrete steps for promoting women’s leadership and political participation (WLPP). Regular follow-up mechanisms, including feedback sessions and peer learning platforms, have been instituted to monitor progress and adapt strategies as needed. 4. Technical Support and Capacity Building UN Women has provided technical assistance and training to male champions, including local government officials, community facilitators, and religious leaders. These sessions focus on gender-responsive governance, advocacy skills, and conflict resolution, enhancing their effectiveness as allies in transforming gender norms. 5. Addressing Resistance and Engaging Blockers Beyond working with willing champions, UN Women has strategically engaged men who initially resisted WLPP reforms, particularly within political parties and parliamentary structures. Through dialogue forums and targeted advocacy, these actors have been exposed to evidence-based arguments on the benefits of gender parity, contributing to gradual shifts in attitudes and practices. 6. Alignment with Strategic Note Priorities The current SN emphasizes movement building and norm change as cross-cutting strategies. The male champions model has been integrated into broader initiatives under Outcome 3 of the WLER Project, which focuses on transforming behaviors and practices of duty bearers and community members. This alignment ensures sustainability and scalability of the approach across multiple sectors.
Recommendation: Recommendation E6: UN Women should strengthen technical assistance to EMBs on gender mainstreaming. This could involve the secondment of experts to build the institutions’ capacity and a clear results framework for the support.
Management Response:
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Leadership and participation in governance systems (SP 2018-2021)
Operating Principles: Capacity development, National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Partnership, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Gender equality
Key Actions
Key Action not added.
Recommendation: Recommendation E7: in a new project, UN Women needs to implement mechanisms to leverage its country portfolio to ensure linkages between women’s economic empowerment interventions and WLPP. Some areas to consider are: ? In addition to electoral reforms, there is a need to support the review of sectoral policies that have a direct impact on women’s poverty; and ? There is a need to support linking women aspirants with potential economic enterprises where possible. This includes supporting access to capital and training for enterprise development.
Management Response: Two multiyear programs - "Women's Leadership and Economic Rights" and "Ending Violence Against Women & Girls and Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Public Sector" - were designed to take area-based approaches in implementing integrated and holistic interventions that address the root/underlying causes of gender inequality, especially at the community and local levels, while incorporating the principle of Leaving No One Behind (LNOB). These two programmes synergistically address cross cutting themes on Women’s Leadership and Political participation, Women Economic Empowerment, Gender Statistics and Ending Violence Against women, while addressing the needs of women and girls with disabilities. On review of sectoral policies, UN Women accepts this recommendation and is working towards strengthening existing programs to correspond to gender policy and national development plans (Zanzibar Development Plan (ZADEP) 2021-2026 and the final Five-Year National Development Plan 2021/22-2025/26) and priorities including Generation Equality Forum commitments, National Action Plan (NAP) on Ending Violence Against Women and Children and supporting the country to accelerate its achievements the SDGs in particular Goal 5.
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Description:
Management Response Category: Accepted
Thematic Area: Women economic empowerment (SPs before 2018), Leadership and participation in governance systems (SP 2018-2021)
Operating Principles: Oversight/governance, Capacity development, National ownership
Organizational Priorities: Normative Support, Operational activities
UNEG Criteria: Sustainability, Impact, Gender equality
Key Actions
Responsible Deadline Status Comments
The fourth Outcome of the WLER Project specifically aims at enhancing women’s economic rights and opportunities including by piloting gender and disability transformative innovative measures and addressing the disproportionate domestic care work including care for people with disabilities, children, and household domestic work such as cooking limiting women’s participation in the economy and ultimately negatively affecting their participation in various leadership structures at local levels. Specific interventions for outcome four will be implemented in three strategically selected regions of Arusha, Singida, and Dar es Salaam, considering the existing opportunities and infrastructure. However, care work will be mainstreamed in other outcomes and outputs of the project including by raising awareness of the local government leaders and community members particularly men on the 5Rs, recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work, and reward and represent paid care work. Erasmina Massawe, Programme Specialist WLER & Racheal Boma, Programme Specialist responsible for Leadership, Political Participation and Governance, and Women's Access to Justice Country & Deputy Representative on Resource Mobilization 2024/02 Completed