Advancing women empowerment in Tanzania

As the global conversation on empowering women gains momentum, Tanzanian-based organization Women Fund Tanzania Trust is playing a crucial role in advancing women's rights and empowerment in the country. Founded 15 years ago, the organization aims to provide a functional and empowering mechanism for women, particularly at the grassroots level, to access the funding they need to grow their businesses and advocate for their rights. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Mary Rusimbi, Co-Founder of Women Fund Tanzania Trust, shed light on the challenges faced by women in accessing finance and the solutions being implemented to address these issues. Rusimbi highlighted the limited funding that reaches women, especially those at the grassroots level. Despite efforts to increase funding through various initiatives, including philanthropic support and financial institutions, women still face significant barriers in accessing the capital they need to grow their businesses and support women's rights organizations. She emphasized that women, who play a pivotal role as caregivers, farmers, and community builders, often do not receive the necessary financial support to empower them and unlock their potential. One of the key barriers identified by Rusimbi is the lack of prioritization of women's rights and businesses on the agenda of funding entities. This, coupled with institutional limitations such as financial illiteracy and the requirement for collateral, prevent many women from accessing traditional banking services and loans. Additionally, the lack of capital and funding for initiatives addressing gender-based violence further hinders the progress of women in Tanzania. To address these challenges, Women Fund Tanzania Trust has established a funding mechanism that aims to challenge conventional philanthropic practices and government funding. The organization seeks to provide women with the resources and support they need to advocate for their rights and drive positive change in their communities. By offering funding that empowers women and enables them to make independent decisions, Women Fund Tanzania Trust hopes to create an enabling environment for women to thrive. Rusimbi emphasized the importance of understanding the context in which women operate and tailoring funding solutions to meet their specific needs. Rather than imposing restrictive conditions, the organization advocates for funding that respects the agency and autonomy of women, allowing them to lead initiatives and address pressing issues in their communities. In conclusion, the journey towards empowering women in Tanzania faces significant challenges, including limited access to funding and institutional barriers. However, organizations like Women Fund Tanzania Trust are at the forefront of driving change and providing innovative solutions to support women's rights and economic empowerment. By prioritizing women's needs and offering funding that respects their agency, these initiatives are paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable society in Tanzania.