Mwanamke na Uongozi (MnU) or Women and Leadership realised that young women face challenges in taking part in elections from the level of political parties to the country level (general election) simply because they lack confidence, skills, and training on how to overcome cultural barriers and patriarchal systems in government. This has influenced the low numbers of young women participating in political decision making bodies. The organisation empowers young women politicians to take part in the next elections hence increase the number of women in political decision making bodies. Nakata vikwazo, Nagombea is the title of this project in Kiswahili which loosely translates to ‘I am cutting down restrictions, I am vying’.

The project provides young women with the opportunities to meet with politically experienced women who mentor and provide them with practical solutions to address the challenges that they face as women leaders in their communities and how they could strategise for leadership roles in political, economic and social spaces. Mwanamke na Uongozi is committed to champion promotion of women rights in the communities and ensure gender equity and equality.

Young women in patriarchal societies face challenges to the attainment of their rights.  This is more so in the area of political participation and representation.  Their political ambitions when they have it is frustrated early.  As such the voice of the young woman is missing in decision making.  MnU by scaling up their project and supporting young women rightsholders to increase their participation in decision making through empowering young women politicians and lifting barriers to their political ambitions are changing the political landscape.  MnU sought to build capacity of young women from five political parties in Tanga region to participate in democratic processes and compete for leadership positions.  In order to deliver on this objective MnU interacted and worked closely with the local government authority, political parties including CCM, NCCR, CHADEMA, CUF and ACT- Wazalendo, local media houses and other voice grantees at national level during the project implementation.   

MnU was able to train thirty (30) young women politicians from Tanga region on leadership, democracy, personal branding, public speaking and campaigning.  About 27% were 18 – 24 years of age, 47% were 25 – 30 years of age and 26% were 31 – 35 years of age.  Out of the thirty trained young women half took forms to contest for leadership positions during 2020 general elections. Five (5) of the trained contested for Member of Parliament (MP) position, 1 Contested for MP special seat position, 2 contested for councillor position and 6 contested for special seats for councillors.  Six young women politicians trained and contested were selected by their parties to contest for leadership positions. Two were not endorsed by the national electoral commission and therefore only 4 remained as contestants. Engagement of trained young women in political activities has increased after the MnU political academy training.  About 86.7% of trained young women are actively participating in political processes like campaigns for their political parties during the past election. 

As part of the activities to motivate young women to vie for political positions to vote and to promote community behavior change towards women leadership and vote for women contestants and motivate people to come out a total of seven live sessions and vote were conducted through Instagram and Tweeter.  This was aimed at providing continuous political education to our young women politicians in Tanga region and other women in Tanzania.  A total of 701 people attended the live sessions. Total number of 401 tweets and posts with harsh tag #Nakataa Vikwazo Nagombea were posted during this time, with a reach of 2,862,897, and creating 11,302,413 impressions.   

Presenting one’s agenda in public fora where gender stereotypes that do not characterize women as leaders in the political realm can be a daunting task therefore the project conducted Public speaking skills training for the candidates and a marked improvement was observed.   

A reference book to help young women to learn more about leadership and campaigning has been developed. The unique feature of this book is that it does not only contain textbook literature but it has addition information from famous politicians in Tanzania from all five political parties which were involved in this project.  

Organizationally, the project has also benefited MnU.  The staff capacity has improved significantly following VOICE funded financial and projects management training. Quality of project reports from the organization has improved and there is high adherence to financial rule and regulations