What's Happening?
UN Women is collaborating with the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups (Mainland) and the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (Zanzibar) in Tanzania to advance the Women, Peace and Security (WPS)
agenda. This partnership aims to strengthen institutional frameworks that promote women's participation, leadership, protection, and access to decision-making in peace and security processes. The initiative follows the establishment of Tanzania's first National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (TNAP-WPS) 2025-2029, which outlines national priorities across four pillars: Prevention, Participation, Protection, and Relief & Recovery. An integrated baseline profiling and capacity needs assessment will be conducted across eight priority regions to generate a comprehensive picture of the current WPS landscape, institutional readiness, community structures, gender-responsive systems, and coordination mechanisms. This assessment will also identify gaps and propose actionable capacity strengthening strategies. The effort is funded by the Embassy of Ireland through the Joint Initiative to Strengthen National and Development Partners' Gender Equality Coordination Mechanisms.
Why It's Important?
This collaboration is crucial for enhancing gender equality and women's empowerment in Tanzania, particularly within the context of peace and security. By strengthening institutional frameworks and promoting women's leadership and participation, the initiative addresses systemic barriers that often exclude women from critical decision-making processes. The focus on a national action plan and its localization ensures a structured approach to integrating gender perspectives into peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts. The baseline assessment will provide vital data to inform targeted interventions, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to address specific needs and gaps. This can lead to more inclusive and sustainable peace outcomes, as women's involvement has been shown to increase the effectiveness and longevity of peace agreements. The support from the Embassy of Ireland underscores the international recognition of the importance of gender-responsive governance and security.
What's Next?
The immediate next step involves engaging a qualified consultant to conduct the integrated baseline profiling and capacity needs assessment across the eight priority regions. This assessment will provide the foundational data for the effective implementation of the TNAP-WPS. Following the assessment, the findings will inform the development of actionable capacity strengthening strategies. The Government of Tanzania has already validated a One-Year Implementation Plan (2025–2026) to kickstart the operationalization of the TNAP in these regions. Lessons learned during this initial year will guide the progressive rollout of TNAP-WPS implementation across the rest of the country. This phased approach aims to ensure that the strategies are adaptable and effective, aligning with national development and governance frameworks such as FYDP IV and DIRA 2050, which prioritize human capital development, gender equality, social cohesion, and resilient governance systems.
Beyond the Headlines
The initiative's alignment with broader national development frameworks like FYDP IV and DIRA 2050 signifies a deeper commitment to embedding gender equality within Tanzania's long-term vision for a peaceful, secure, and inclusive society. The emphasis on localizing the TNAP-WPS and integrating it with the emerging Jamii Agenda 2050 highlights a strategic effort to ensure that interventions are contextually relevant and community-driven. This approach recognizes that sustainable change requires not only top-down policy but also grassroots engagement and ownership. The project's focus on strengthening coordination mechanisms among various stakeholders, including government ministries, civil society organizations, and development partners, is critical for fostering a cohesive and effective ecosystem for gender equality. This collaborative model can serve as a blueprint for other nations seeking to enhance women's roles in peace and security, demonstrating the power of integrated and multi-sectoral approaches.
