Program Overview
TAMWA Zanzibar is committed to enhancing the economic well-being of women and girls as a key strategy for promoting gender equality and resilience against harmful cultural norms. Recognizing the strong link between income poverty, GBV/VAWC, and access to justice, this program builds on the successes of women’s economic groups (VSLs) affiliated with TAMWA Zanzibar. The initiative seeks to commercialize VSL ideas, improve access to financial resources, integrate technology for market access, and create an enabling environment for women to establish and sustain income-generating activities.
Objective
The primary objective of this program is to empower women and girls by increasing their access to and control over financial resources, productive assets, and economic opportunities. This includes enhancing their ability to participate in market-driven income-generating activities, and gain legal rights to land and property ownership. Through economic empowerment, the program aims to foster self-reliance, assertiveness, and long-term economic sustainability for women in Zanzibar.
Context:
TAMWA Zanzibar has identified economic empowerment as a crucial tool for women’s emancipation and social resilience. Despite progress, many women still face barriers in accessing financial capital, markets, and legal rights to resources. National frameworks such as MKUZA III and NPA-VAWC emphasize the importance of bridging these gaps. By scaling up economic interventions and sustaining past achievements, this program aims to create lasting change in women's financial independence and societal roles.
Approaches & Strategies
The program supports VSL groups in accessing financial resources, developing profitable businesses, and utilizing technology for online marketing. It facilitates women's participation in sectors like tourism and agriculture, particularly in cultural tourism value chains. Additionally, TAMWA Zanzibar advocates for policy reforms, including the establishment of the Zanzibar Economic Empowerment Council (ZEEC). By leveraging VSL groups, TAMWA Zanzibar also promotes gender equality within communities, creating sustainable economic opportunities for long-term social change.
