TGNP and LGTI -Hombolo conduct training on Gender to LGA Officials at Ward Level

Participants group photo 

By Deogratius Temba,Dar

Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) in collaboration with the Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) Hombolo, supported by UNWOMEN Tanzania through the Women Leadership and Economic Rights Project (WLER), have officially kicked off a four days training to Local Government officials at ward level on Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Responsive Budgeting. 

The training is being carried out in Dar es Salaam involving officials at the ward level from Lindi, Mtwara and Dar es Salaam regions.

The Women Leadership and Economic Rights Project (WLER) is currently being implemented in various regions to promote women’s participation in leadership and the right to benefit from economic opportunities.

Ms. Lilian Liundi, The Executive Director, Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) during the Opening session in Dar es salaam

Dr. Lazaro Kisumbe, Deputy Rector LGTI- Hombolo during the opening session

Speaking during the official opening, Lilian Liundi, TGNP’s Executive Director said that, this training is a great opportunity for capacity strengthening of council officials that will help them understand how to effectively engage community members in the government planning processes at ward and village levels.

“This training resulted from the realization that; LGA officials need to understand gender issues and have them prioritized at community level during planning. This together alongside collaboration with the community members themselves will help in managing the O&OD process which will consequently be beneficial to the communities they serve said Liundi

She also added that, due to their importance and the positions they have at the community level, the participants of the training have the ability to provide education in the community through township and village meetings to make women participate but also to come forward to run for leadership to increase the number of women in positions leadership and decisions at the village and local level.

On the other hand, the Deputy Rector- Adminisitration and Finance of the Local Government Training Institute (LGTI) Dr. Lazaro Kisumbe who was also the guest of honor in the official opening of the training said that, the Institute had carried out research which identified several existing gender gaps in the Local Government Authorities which hinder government efforts in planning and budgeting with a Gender perspective.

“The WLER project intends to close the existing gender gaps which is the reason why with the support from UNWOMEN Tanzania, we are collaborating with TGNP to capacitate ward level local government officials who will then go back to their duty stations to share and enlighten their respective Ward.

Development Committees on how to mainstream gender during planning processes while incorporating community priorities,” he said.

He also added that, through this training, officials will be able to identify ways that gender can be

mainstreamed at the ward level and also ensure that the concept of gender and issues related are well understood at all levels.