Tanzanite kwa Uchumi Imara wa Mwanamke

The Tanzanite kwa Uchumi Imara wa Mwanamke project was successfully implemented with impactful results across three key outcome areas:

1. Strengthened Stakeholder Engagement for Women’s Economic Participation

The project successfully sensitized and engaged over 50 key stakeholders, including district authorities, the Police Department, District Executive Director, SELA leadership, WIMO representatives, mining companies, the Resident Mining Officer (RMO), public transport agencies, MAREMA, paralegal organizations, and local media. As a result of this broad collaboration, stakeholders fully understood the project’s goal of empowering women to safely and meaningfully participate in business within the Mirerani mining area. Their buy-in significantly facilitated smooth implementation of project interventions and fostered a supportive environment for women’s inclusion in local economic activities.

2. Identification and Addressing of Gender-Specific Barriers in the Business Environment

The project conducted a comprehensive assessment of the business environment for women at the Mirerani mining area and effectively addressed a range of structural and institutional challenges that had previously hindered women’s economic participation. Key achievements included:

• Upgrading of road infrastructure; enhancing access and mobility for women traders,
• Installation of additional sanitation facilities; significantly improving hygiene and dignity for women vendors,
• Intervention on transportation policies; resulting in reduced travel costs for businesswomen,
• Engagement with local tax authorities; which led to the harmonization and reduction of burdensome levies,
• Standardization of inspection procedures; ensuring transparency and fairness in business monitoring,
• Allocation of dedicated business spaces within mining zones, enabling women to operate safely and legally,
• Establishment of a gender desk within the mining-area police post, ensuring timely response to GBV and related cases,
• Policy revision on market regulations; removing restrictions that previously barred women from exiting the area with unsold goods such as fruits, milk, and foodstuffs,
• Streamlining of the 4% government loan disbursement process; ensuring timely access to capital and by women’s groups and
• Successful registration of multiple women’s groups and community organizations; with the local council, which strengthened their formal recognition and access to public support services.

These targeted interventions were the result of effective advocacy, multispectral collaboration, and persistent engagement with decision-makers. They contributed to a more enabling, inclusive, and secure business environment for women in Mirerani.

3. Reduction in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Increased Legal Support

To enhance legal protection and support for women business operators, the project established a dedicated paralegal office in Mirerani town. This center provided free legal aid, rights education, and GBV response services. It quickly became a hub for empowering women with knowledge of their rights and mechanisms for reporting violations. As a result:

• The number of GBV cases reported to the police and paralegals decreased notably,
• Women became better equipped to identify, report, and seek redress for abuse,
• The project successfully lobbied for the revival of the police post within the mining zone, which began regular patrols and collaborated with the paralegal office to conduct GBV awareness campaigns among traders and miners and
• Several cases involving gender-based violence, violence against children (VAC), child maintenance, and rape were successfully mediated or resolved through legal channels.