Facilitating Women to Participate in Vision 2050 Development Process."

To ensure that women's views are not left behind in the process of drafting the new National Development Vision 2050, Women Fund Tanzania Trust, in collaboration with TGNP and WildAF, has organized a national convening to raise awareness of the process and collect women's views to be incorporated into the vision.

The national convening was the result of consultations, engagements, and mobilizing efforts facilitated by Women Fund, in collaboration with other stakeholders, to ensure that women are aware of the process and participate fully in sharing their views.

The main objective of the national convening, held at the TGNP grounds on June 12, 2024, was to present an analysis of the National Development Vision 2025, its achievements, and shortcomings in the overall context of gender issues and women's rights.

The convening brought together participants from all regions of Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, including representatives from women's groups/networks (WCEL, MKUKI), knowledge centers, WFTT grantees, the National Planning Commission, NBS, and the media. During the opening of the convening, Gemma Akilimali, a member of the coalition, emphasized to participants that an inclusive national economy is what will bring true development, and no nation can claim to have progressed while a large group of its people is left behind in important processes.

"As we deeply reflect on this Vision 2050, we must critically examine the existing gaps, particularly in ensuring that the nation truly progresses with positive development that can move the country forward," emphasized Mama Gemma.

Speaking on behalf of the Planning Commission, Dr. Turuka appreciated the coalition for inviting them to participate in the convening. He emphasized that their aim in participating is to hear women's views directly and understand what needs to be done to implement Vision 2050.

During the convening, three presentations were given, including "A Comprehensive Analysis of the National Development Vision 2025 from a Gender Perspective" by Lilian Liundi, "Implementation of Vision 2025: Outcomes and Gender Gaps" by Rose Marandu, and "The National Development Vision 2050 We Want" by Anna Kulaya.

Presenting on the implementation of Vision 2025, Rose Marandu, the Executive Director of WFTT, emphasized that before discussing the National Development Vision 2050, it is important to review Vision 2025, question how it was implemented, and identify its shortcomings. She added that in Dira 2025, gender equality was included in only one area of quality of life as one criterion, without specific goals to reduce the gender gap in all areas. She advised that this should not be repeated in Dira 2050.

Regarding women's demands in the new 2050 vision, Anna Kulaya stated that women need an inclusive and participatory process to ensure that the 2050 vision is gender-sensitive. For it to be gender-sensitive, the opinions outlined must be considered in the preparation of this vision so they can be reflected in all areas.

"As women, we believe that we cannot be a nation of peace and stability if women, girls, children, and people with disabilities are being physically, sexually, psychologically, and economically abused and degraded. We also demand that by 2050, the implementation of the 2050 vision should be guided by a system that uses sex-disaggregated data to direct the country's social, political, and economic orientation." On her side, Lilian Liundi insisted in her presentation that the development vision of any nation must be inclusive. “We demand that the 2050 vision must be gender-sensitive and derived from substantial participation of women and men, regardless of their differences." The participants also had the opportunity to share their views to be included in the vision through discussions held in groups and presented at the main plenary.

They also expressed their appreciation to the organizations that facilitated the convening.

"I truly appreciate all the organizers. In our rural areas, we only heard about this vision and didn't realize it concerned us. We thought it was just a government thing... but through this convening, I now understand the vision well and the importance of women participating to give their opinions. I will educate my colleagues and ensure they provide their opinions through the various methods we were directed, including these questionnaires."

Representatives from the National Planning Commission also guided how citizens could give their opinions on Vision 2050. At the end of the convening, participants were given copies of questionnaires to collect opinions, which they could take to their localities to ensure more women have the opportunity to provide their opinions. The goal is to ensure that the process of gathering women's opinions continues to reach more women, especially those in marginalized areas.