Bridging the Gap: Digital Inclusion for Tanzanian Youth Vulnerable to Violent Extremism

By Dr. Fatma Waziri

In the Southern Regions of Tanzania, where the struggle against youth involvement in violent extremism is both a moral and strategic imperative, the Dumisha Amani project emerges as a beacon of hope. Implemented within the districts bordering Mozambique, such as Kilwa, Nachingwea, Mtwara, Tandahimba, Tunduru, Songea Rural, and Nyasa, this initiative uncovers the stark challenges faced by Tanzanian youth: economic disparities, limited educational opportunities, and a digital divide. Recent data from World Bank, reveals a poverty rate of approximately 25.7%, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions to uplift the vulnerable youth population.

In considering the status of literacy that have been observed in the project area; the educational landscape in Tanzania reveals a stark disparity that amplifies the challenges faced by its youth. UNESCO's recent data, indicating a net enrolment rate in secondary education of merely 44.8%, underscores the persistent educational gaps that hinder the holistic and equitable development of the country's younger generation. This deficiency not only limits their access to quality education but also becomes a contributing factor to the vulnerability of youth to extremist ideologies.

Compounding this educational deficit is the digital divide illuminated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). As of 2023, a mere 44.8% of Tanzanians have access to the internet. This glaring statistic further emphasizes the limitations imposed on the youth, curtailing their exposure to diverse perspectives and essential educational resources and other opportunities available online. In an era where digital literacy is increasingly pivotal, such restricted access inhibits the youth from harnessing the full potential of the internet as a tool for economic, education, self-improvement, and global connectivity.

The confluence of these educational and digital disparities creates a formidable barrier for Tanzanian youth, hindering not only their academic growth but also their ability to navigate an interconnected world. Addressing these gaps becomes imperative not only for the empowerment of individuals but also for the overall resilience and progress of the nation. Initiatives that bridge these divides, such as the Dumisha Amani project, emerge as crucial stepping stones towards a more inclusive and empowered Tanzanian youth, ready to shape a brighter future.

Upon the successful implementation of the Dumisha Amani Project, a collaborative effort between GPF and UNDP in partnership with targeted youth in their respective districts, this initiative, also involving the active engagement of Local Government authorities and the Prime Minister's office, exemplifies a comprehensive approach to fostering inclusivity and equitable development in the region.

 

Through the establishment of four youth centers, the Dumisha Amani Project not only enhances digital connectivity but also directly contributes to expanding internet access among the youth, thereby opening doors to a world of information and opportunity.

The inclusion of digital literacy programs, integrated into the Dumisha Amani Project's youth engagement and capacity-building initiatives, becomes a crucial component. These programs ensure that the youth in these regions are equipped with the necessary skills to navigate the online world responsibly, promoting critical thinking and discernment.

 

Creating more doors of opportunities and hope to the youth, as emphasized in the Dumisha Amani Project, becomes a catalyst for skill development and employment opportunities. Drawing on data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) indicating a growing demand for digital skills in the job market, the project, through partnerships with tech companies, provides additional resources and expertise to support youth in developing digital skills aligned with the evolving demands of the modern workforce.

 

By addressing economic disparities, educational gaps, and limited access to information, the Dumisha Amani Project empowers Tanzanian youth to actively counter extremist narratives. The integration of digital inclusion strategies, coupled with the collaborative efforts of GPF, UNDP, the Prime Minister's office, Local Government authorities and youth, signifies a transformative journey toward lasting peace and sustainable development, fostering a more inclusive, resilient, and peaceful society in Tanzania.

 

WiLDAF conducts Gender Equality Training for Rafiki SDO

 

By Deogratius Koyanga, Shinyanga

The Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF) has conducted capacity-building training for the staff and management of Rafiki SDO in Shinyanga on how to incorporate gender issues into the organization's programs and overall structure.

These training sessions are part of a project funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) through Save the Children-Tanzania. The project aims to enhance the capacity of civil society organizations, strengthen institutional systems, and amplify the voices of children to discuss, self-manage, and demand their fundamental rights. The project is implemented in collaboration with WiLDAF, RAFIKI SDO, and five other partners.

Speaking at the training, Acting Executive Director of RAFIKI SDO, Tangi Clement, expressed gratitude to WiLDAF for providing gender experts to impart this knowledge. She emphasized that the training has opened their eyes to how they address gender issues as an institution and how the organization's programs target gender-related challenges in the community, especially among project beneficiaries.

"We are very grateful to WiLDAF for providing us with a Gender specialist for this session. We, as RAFIKI SDO, are still learning in the area of Gender, and this is a crucial opportunity that we have received. We will ensure to implement what we have learned, including extending this knowledge to other employees who did not participate and our stakeholders such as district councils for further awareness," said Tangi.

She added that during the workshop, they agreed that there is a need for a review of internal policies and human resources guidelines to create an enabling environment for pregnant women employees to have rest periods and dedicated spaces.

Additionally, they proposed that the review of the Gender policy should align with the inclusion of Gender Equality and Justice issues for people with disabilities and breastfeeding mothers, ensuring they receive full support while engaged in the organization's activities. "This will require policy changes, submission to management and the board for their approval, but it's a positive thing, and we believe they will agree," she added.

They also outlined a strategy to prioritize advocacy in district councils to allocate a gender Responsive Budget. This would enable girls to study and stay safe both within and outside of school, providing lunch meals at schools to reduce absenteeism and early pregnancies, constructing dormitories, and facilitating secondary school girls to access sanitary towels.

WiLDAF facilitator, Deogratius Temba, expressed the organization's hope that significant institutional changes would occur after the training. He highlighted the participants' commitment to putting effort into institutional changes so that everything within the organization reflects a gender perspective.

He added that the training led participants to agree on a review of RAFIKI SDO's gender policy for 2022 and its Strategic Plan (2020-2024) to focus on gender equality and allocate an internal budget to address gender-related challenges.

Eliud Mtalemwa, the Program Manager for Rafiki SDO in the Geita region, stated that the training helped the organization see itself more positively, recognizing how it manages gender issues and identifying gaps. He stressed the need to establish gender guidelines to govern and enforce gender-related decisions within the organization. "We have observed that women participate in our activities and decision-making positions, but we lack a guiding document that obliges us by numbers, specifying how many women should be in those positions. With the knowledge we have gained here, we will improve by revisiting our operational tools," said Mtalemwa.

 

WiLDAF yafanya mafunzo ya Usawa wa Kijinsia kwa Rafiki SDO

Na Deogratius Temba, Shinyanga

Shirika la Wanawake katika Sheria na Maendeleo Barani Afrika (WILDAF),imefanya mafunzo ya kujenga uwezo kwa wafanyakazi  na Menejimenti ya Shirika la RAFIKI SDO la Shinyanga, namna ya kuingiza masuala ya Kijinsia katika Programu na muundo wa shirika kwa ujumla.

Wafanyakazi na Menejimenti ya Shirika la RAFIKI SDO  wakiwa pamoja na mwezeshaji baada ya mafunzo

Mafunzo haya ni sehemu ya mradi unaofadhiliwa na Shirika la Maendeleo la Sweden (Sida) kupitia Save the Children-Tanzania, kwa lengo la kukuza uwezo wa asasi  za kiraia, kuimarisha mifumo ya kitaasisi na kuongeza sauti za watoto kujadili, kujisimamia  na kudai haki zao za msingi,unaotekelezwa kwa ushirikiano  na WILDAF, RAFIKI SDO na wadau wengine watano.

Akizungumza katika mafunzo hayo, Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa RAFIKI SDO, Tangi Clement, mafunzo hayo yamewafungua macho kujiangalia Zaidi kwa undani jinsi wanavyotekeleza masuala ya Kijinsia kama taasisi lakini pia namna ambavyo program na miradi ya shirika inavyolenga kutatua changamoto za kijinsia katika jamii hasa wanufaika wa miradi.

“ tunaishukuru sana WILDAF kwa kutupatia mtaalamu wa Jinsia kutupatia elimu hii, bado sisi kama RAFIKI SDO tunajifunza kwenye eneo la Jinsia, ni fursa muhimu sana ambayo tumeipata, tutahakikisha tunayafanyia kazi kikami,ifu ikiwepo kupeleka elimu hii kwa wafanyakazi ambao hawakushiriki, lakini pia wadau wetu kama Halmashauri za wilaya tutawapa elimu hii sambamba na wanufaika wetu” alisema Tangi.

Ameongeza kwamba katika warsha hiyo, wamekubaliana kwamba kunahitajika mapitio ya sera za ndani kama mapitio ya mwongozo wa rasilimali watu ili kuweka mazingira wezeshi kwa wafanyakazi wenye ujauzito kupata muda wa kupumzika na iwepo sehemu maalum kwaajili hiyo.

Aidha wamependekeza kwamba, mapitio ya sera ya Jinsia yaende sambamba na kuingiza suala la Usawa na Haki kijinsia kwa watu wenye ulemavu na Mama aneyenyonyesha akiwa ndani shughuli za shirika kuhudumiwa yeye na mtoto wake kikamilifu. “ Hii itahitaji mabadiliko ya kisera, kuwasilisha kwa manajimenti na bodi ili kupata Baraka zao, lakini ni jambo nzuri tuna Imani watatusikiliza”aliongeza.

Pia, waliweka mkakati wa kuweka uzito katika uchechemuzi kwenye Halmashauri za wilaya ili kutenga bajeti yenye mrengo wa Kijinsia aitakayowezesha watoto wa kike kusoma na kuwa salama ndani nan je ya shule kama kupata mlo wa chakula cha mchana shuleni ili kupunguza utoro na mimba za utotoni, kujenga mabweni na kuwezesha wasichana wa shule za sekondari kupatia taulo za kike.

Naye mwezeshaji kutoka WiLDAF, Deogratius Temba, amesema kwamba, WiLDAF inamatumaini kwamba, baada ya mafunzo hayo, mabadiliko makubwa ya kitaasisi yatatokea kwani washiriki wameweka ahadi (commitiment) ya kuweka nguvu kwenye mabadiliko ya kitaasisi ili  kila kitu kinachofanyika ndani ya shirika kiweze kuwa na mtazamo wa Kijinsia.

Ameongeza kwamba, mafunzo haya yamepelekea washiriki kukubaliana kupitia upya sera ya jinsia ya Rafiki SDO ya mwaka 2022, na Mpango Mkakati wake wa (2020-2024) ili kuweza kuzingatia usawa wa Kijinsia na kuweka bajeti ya ndani ya Taasisi itakayotatua changamoto wa Kijinsia.

“Sisi tuna Imani, kama walivyosema washiriki hawa wa RAFIKI SDO, Baada yam waka mmoja tukirudi hapa kutakuwa na mabadiliko makubwa” amesema Temba.

Kwa upande wake Programu Meneja wa Rafiki SDO Mkoa wa Geita, Eliud Mtalemwa alisema kwamba mafunzo haya yameisaidia taasisi kujiona vizuri Zaidi, kutambua namna inavyosimamia masuala ya Kijinsia na mapengo yalipo kwani  inahitaji kuweka miongozo ya Kijinsia itakayowasimamia.  “tumeona kwamba, wanawake wanashiriki kwenye shughuli zetu na kwenye nafasi za maamuzi lakini hatuna kitu kinachotuongoza na kutulazimisha kwa namba, kwamba wanawake wawe wangapi kwenye hizo nafasi, kwa elimu tuliyopipata hapa,tumefunguka, tutaboresha kwa kupitia upya nyenzo zetu za kiutendaji. “ alisema Mtalemwa.

WILDAF Conducts Gender Mainstreaming Training for Forum CC Staff

By- Our Reporter in Dodoma

The Women in Law & Development in Africa (WILDAF) conducted a capacity-building training for the staff of the Climate Change Forum (Forum CC) to integrate gender issues into the organization's programs and structures. 

Participants in a group photo after the day one session

 This training is part of a broader project funded by the Sida through Save the Children aimed at strengthening organizational capacity, enhancing institutional structures, and amplifying the voices of children to discuss, advocate for, and assert their fundamental rights, particularly in the realm of climate change. The joint initiative is being implemented by WILDAF, Forum CC and 5 other consortium partners.  

During the training conducted by WiLDAF, Forum CC Executive Director, Sarah Ngoy, highlighted the significance of the workshop in the context of a gender gap identified within the organization during a capacity assessment conducted in 2022. She emphasized the need for capacity-building among staff to ensure gender responsiveness in programs and advocated for systemic changes to address gender equality issues comprehensively.

Deogratius Temba, a facilitator from WiLDAF

Ngoy expressed gratitude for the insights gained through the training and outlined specific areas for improvement. These include making budgets gender-responsive, increasing training for staff, allocating a budget for sanitary pads for female employees, providing a resting room for pregnant mothers, and revising financial guidelines to cover costs for assistants to breastfeeding women and assistants of people with disabilities.

Post-training, the organization plans to conduct a thorough review of internal policies and guidelines, including the human resources policy, to align them with the organization's gender policy. Ngoy announced the development of a gender implementation plan scheduled to commence in 2024.

Deogratius Temba, the facilitator from WILDAF, expressed optimism regarding the potential for significant institutional changes following the training. He highlighted the participants' commitment to contributing to institutional change, ensuring that all activities within the organization become gender-responsive.

WiLDAF yafanya mafunzo ya Usawa wa Kijinsia kwa Forum CC

Na Deogratius Temba, Dodoma

 Shirika la Wanawake katika Sheria na Maendeleo Barani Afrika (WILDAF),imefanya mafunzo ya kujenga uwezo kwa wafanyakazi wa Jukwaa la Mabadiliko ya tabia nchi (Forum CC), ili kuweza kuingiza masuala ya Kijinsia katika Programu na muundo wa shirika kwa ujumla.

Washiriki wa Mafunzo ya Jinsia, ambao ni wafanyakazi wa FORUM CC wakiwa katika picha ya pamoja baada ya mafunzo, na Mwezeshaji kutoka WiLDAF, Deogratius Temba

Mafunzo hayo, ambayo ni sehemu ya mradi wa kukuza uwezo wa asasi za kiraia, kuimarisha mifumo ya kitaasisi na kuongeza sauti za watoto kujadili, kujisimamia na kudai haki zao za msingi hasa katika eneo la Mabadiliko ya tabia nchi, unaotekelezwa na WILDAF na Forum CC.

Majadiliano wakati wa warsha ya Jinsia iliyowezeshwa na WiLDAF  

Akizungumza katika mafunzo hayo, Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Forum CC, Sarah Ngoy, amesema kwamba, mafunzo hayo ni sehemu ya utekelezaji wa mradi huo, ambapo mwaka jana 2022, taasisi hiyo ilifanya zoezi la kupima uwezo wake katika masuala ya Kijinsia na kuonekana kwamba kuna pengo kwenye eneo la usawa wa Kijinsia ndani ya taasisi.

Mwezeshaji akisisitiza Jambo wakati wa warsha ya Uingizwaji wa masuala ya Kijinsia kwenye Taasisi, iliyofanywa na WiLDAF kwa Forum CC

“warsha hii kwa wafanyakazi wetu imekuja kwa wakati muafaka, mwaka jana tulipofanya zoezi la kujipima kama taasisi tuliona hili pengo la kijinsia ndani ya shirika, tukagundua kwamba pamoja na kuhitaji kujenga uwezo kwa wafanyakazi wetu kwenye masuala ya Kijinsia, ili kuzifanya program zetu ziwe na mtazamo wa Kijinsia, pia tulihitaji mabadiliko ya kimfumo, sambamba na kuongeza uelewa na maarifa ya masuala ya kijinsia kwa timu yetu yote”alisema Sarah na kuongeza: “Warsha hii imetufungua macho sana, kumbe bado tuna pengo la masuala ya kijinsia, kumbe tunahitaji kufanya mabadiliko na maboresho ya bajeti zetu ziweze kuwa na mtazamo wa kijinsia, kupitia mafunzo haya tumegundua kwamba tunatakiwa kuongeza mafunzo kwa wafanyakazi, kuweka bajeti kwaajili ya taulo za kike kwa wafanyakazi, kuweka chumba cha kupumzika mama wajawazito wanapokuwa ndani ya shirika letu, na pia kubadilisha mwongozo wa fedha ili kuruhusu kuwalipia gharama wasaidizi wa wanawake wanaonyonyesha na wasindikizaji wa watu wenye ulemavu” alisema Sarah.

Wafanyakazi wa Forum CC wakifuatilia warsha

Ameongeza kwamba, mara baada ya mafunzo hayo, taasisi hiyo itakaa na kupitia upya sera za ndani ya shirika na miongozo mbalimbali ukiwemo ule wa rasilimali watu ili uweze kuendana na sera ya Jinsia ya Taasisi sambamba na kuwa na mpango wa utekelezaji wa masuala ya Kijinsia kwa taasisi utakaoanza kutekelezwa mwaka 2024. Naye mwezeshaji kutoka WiLDAF, Deogratius Temba, amesema kwamba, WiLDAF

Mwezeshaji, Deogratius Temba, akisisitiza mabadiliko ya Kitaasisi kwa mtazamo wa Kijinsia, wakati wa mafunzo ya Jinsia kwa wafanyakazi wa Forum CC

inamatumaini kwamba, baada ya mafunzo hayo, mabadiliko makubwa ya kitaasisi yatatokea kwani washiriki wameweka ahadi (commitiment) ya kuweka nguvu kwenye mabadiliko ya kitaasisi ili kila kitu kinachofanyika ndani ya shirika kiweze kuwa na mtazamo wa Kijinsia.

Miaka 30 ya TGNP: Tanzania kinara utekelezaji wa maazimio ya Beijing

 

na Deogratius Temba

Makamu wa Rais Mstaafu wa Afrika ya Kusini, Dkt. Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka,  amesema T
anzania inaongoza katika kutekeleza maazimio ya Mkutano wa nne wa wanawake duniani uliofanyika Beijing Nchini china mwaka 1995.

Mgeni wa Heshima katika tamasha la Jinsia la 15, Makamu wa Rais Mstaafu wa Afrika ya Kusini, Dkt. Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka

Akizungumza wakati wa sherehe za ufunguzi wa Tamasha la Jinsia la 15,  na miaka 30 ya ya Mtandao wa Jinsia Tanznaia (TGNP), Mhe. Phunzile ambaye amekuwa pia Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa Shirika linaloshughulikia masuala la Wanawake (UNwomen),  ambaye alikuwa mgeni rasmi, alisema kwamba, Mkutano wa Bijing uliofanyika miaka 28 uliweka maazimio ambayo Tanzania imeendelea kufanya vizuri kwa kiasi kikubwa ukilinganisha na nchi nyingine.

“Kwa uelewa wangu wa kufanya kazi katika ngazi ya kimataifa, ninaweza kuona mchango wa TGNP katika kujenga uwezo kwa wanawake wa Tanzania kufanya uchambuzi wa masuala ya Kijinsia, ni nchi ya Kolombia na Tanzania pekee ambazo wanawake wamejenga uwezo kwa kiasi kikubwa wa kiuchamnganuzi na kiuchambuzi kuhusu masuala ya Kijinsia.” Alisema na Kuongeza kwamba

“Mkutano wa Beijing uliipa Tanzania heshima kubwa Zaidi, ukizingatia kwamba uliongeozwa na Mtanzania ambaye aliweka historia ambayo haitasahaulika duniani kwakuwa mkutano ule ulizaaa maazimio amzito kabisa ambayo yamesababisha mageuzi wa kimifumo, kisera na kisheria katika mtataifa mbalimbali lakini pia maazimio yale yamepelekea kuongeza vuguvugu la harakati hizi kuanzia ngazi ya jamii hadi kitaifa, na sasa kuna misamiati mingi ya kukomboa wanawake…”

Aliongeza kwamba, dunia itaendelea kuikumbuka Tanzania kwa kile kilichotokea Beijing, chini ya uongozi wa Balozi Getrude Mongela, ambapo hata hivyo nchi inaongoza kwa kuwa na sera zenye mtazamo wa Kijinsia ikiwepo mabadiliko ya kisheria na kimwongozo.

Kwa  upande wake Mkurugenzi Mkaazi wa UNWomen Tanzania,  akitoa salaam, alisema kwamba Changamoto za mapengo ya usawa wa Kijinsia bado zipo, ikiwepo Ukatili wa Kijinsia, lakini  kunahitajika nguvu ya mapoja na mshikamano wa mashirika mbalimbali ili kutokomeza kabisa vitendo vya Ukatili wa Kiinsia.

“tusipofanya jitihada za ziada, itachukua Zaidi ya miaka 300 kufikia usawa wa Kijinsia, tunahitaji kujipanga, kushikamana, kuwahusisha wanawake na wanaume kwa umoja wao ili kuzuia mabaya yote ambayo wanawake na watoto wa kike na kiume wanatendewa” alisema Odan.

Awali alitoa hotuba yake Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TGNP, Lilian Liundi alisema kwamnba, Tamasha linatoa fursa ya wana jamii hususan wanawake kushirikishana uzoefu, kujadili, kujifunza, kujenga ajenda ya pamoja kuhusu usawa wa jinsia na maendeleo hususani ya namna ya kupanga mikakati ya pamoja ili kusonga mbele kwa pamoja.

“Tunaposheherekea mafanikio ya harakati zetu kwa miaka 30 ya uwepo wa TGNP, hatuna budi kuipongeza serikali kwa kukubali maoni na mapendekezo kadhaa mbayo tumekuwa tukipelekea na haya ndio yamesababisha Tanzania kuonekana kwamba imetekeleza kwa kiasi kikubwa maazimio ya Beijing…” alisema Lilian.