MWANZA: THE Tanzanian government has begun to implement the Pamoja Project, an initiative aimed  to broaden economic opportunities for women while preventing and eliminating violence against women and children in communities.

Speaking about the project today during a working session for Regional Administrative Secretaries and Directors of Councils implementing the Pamoja Project in Mwanza, the project Coordinator, Ms Adventina Ilunga said the initiative was introduced in response to the increasing prevalence of violence in communities, with poverty among women identified as one of the factors contributing to the situation.

Ms Ilunga said that through the project, women will be economically empowered through access to affordable loans, a move expected to increase their ability to become financially independent and help reduce abuse and violence against them.

“The project aims to strengthen economic opportunities for women and prevent and eliminate violence against women and children in communities,” she said.

She said the project will also construct 10 safe houses, one in each region, as well as childcare centres to enable women engaged in economic activities to leave their children in safe environments.

According to Ilunga, a total of 184 childcare centres will be constructed in 40 councils. During the first year of implementation, 80 centres will be constructed, equivalent to two centres in each council, before construction of the remaining centres continues.

She said the centres will help address challenges related to child safety and care while enabling parents and guardians to continue with their economic activities, including those employed by the Government.

“We are aware that child safety and childcare have been major challenges. Through these centres, many people will benefit by being able to leave their children in safe places while continuing with their economic activities,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mwanza has sets aside 11.3bn/- for Women, Youth and People with Disabilities. This was revealed by Mwanza Regional Administrative Secretary, Dk Fatma Mganga during the working session for Regional Administrative Secretaries and Council Directors implementing the Pamoja Project in Mwanza.

“Mwanza Region has already started implementing the Pamoja Project, which is being implemented in the councils of Sengerema, Misungwi, Magu and Ukerewe,” she said.

She said the councils had already opened application windows for loan applications from all three groups.

She added that the councils were continuing with loan disbursement procedures, including receiving and assessing applications from groups of women, youth and people with disabilities.

“In Magu Council, there are 330 women’s groups; Ukerewe has 110 women’s groups; Sengerema has 204; and Misungwi has 105 women’s groups. These groups have between 50 and 100 members,” Dr Mganga said.

Dr Mganga said development project coordinators were continuing to work with communities and social welfare officers in implementing the programmes.

She said the councils had various women’s groups aimed at empowering their members economically through access to loans and engagement in productive activities.

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According to Dr Mganga, Mwanza Region is also implementing a programme that provides loans equivalent to 10 per cent of councils’ own-source revenue to empower women, youth and people with disabilities.

She said that during the 2025/2026 financial year, a total of 8.8bn/- was provided to 226 women’s groups. Youth groups received 4.6 b/-, while groups of people with disabilities received 675m/-

She emphasised that the loans are intended to enable beneficiaries to establish and expand economic activities, increase their incomes and improve their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Mr Eliakim Maswi

said the Government expects to see the results of investments under the Pamoja Project, which aims to expand economic opportunities through projects implemented collaboratively.

He said Local Government Authorities should set aside land for the implementation of the projects and ensure that the allocated facilities are managed and used effectively.

According to Mr  Maswi, the project aims to expand economic opportunities across 10 regions and 40 councils, while also supporting efforts to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence.

He stressed that the project should not be viewed merely as a construction project, but rather as part of a national investment aimed at stimulating development and expanding economic opportunities for citizens.