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TANZANIAN WOMEN ARCHITECTS FOR HUMANITY
Providing women with basic construction skills and the connections to gain employment in the construction sector.
-6.4012301991155, 34.9899
In Tanzania, women make up just over 50% of the population but too few of them are able to enter the flourishing construction sector.
To increase their participation in the sector and provide a livelihood for women in rural areas who have no access to formal education, Tanzania Women Architects for Humanity (TAWAH) is training them in basic construction skills. Through the Mhaga village project, Julius Baer Foundation and TAWAH have joined forces to construct and develop a Vocational Centre, a local hub of empowerment.
The women undertake apprenticeships, working on projects to improve the village environment. In a hands on approach, as well as learning construction techniques and business fundamentals, they make sustainable bricks and help to build and renovate homes for the elderly and disabled.
By creating these entry level pathways into this key sector of the economy, women can benefit from the wealth being created in the construction industry.
Quick Facts
- Tanzania: Mhaga village, Kisarawe District, Coastal Region
- Project support: 2021-2026
- Grant amount: CHF 130,000 per year
- This project is co-founded by a client of Julius Baer
- Connecting Mhaga village women with female architects, engineers, university students and graduates.
Breaking down barriers...
With little formal education and construction seen as man's work, women in marginalised rural areas of Tanzania are unable to access training and employment opportunities in the building sector.
...into the construction sector
The Mhaga village project trains women in sustainable construction, from brick making to basic building and business skills, which will help them boost their income and strengthen their community.
This project has given us light and the vision to see that, what we thought was a job only for men, women can also do. We can mix cement and sand, we can make blocks and we can even build a house and we are sure we can work in any construction site.
OUTPUT
A total of 94 Mhaga women have been trained so far in brick-making, soil testing and sustainable construction, with 28 also trained in financial management.
OUTCOME
From the first cohort of women trained, 100% are employed by TAWAH and are continuing to apply their skills in sustainable construction.
HIGHLIGHT
Built by women for women, the Vocational Centre has been inaugurated as a place of learning and a hub of empowerment that will shape futures, transform lives and bridge the wealth inequality gap.
Mhaga village leads the way
• While female participation has contributed to Tanzania’s strong economic growth, many constraints still prevent Tanzanian women from achieving their full potential.
• A disproportionate number of women, for example, lack formal education and the means to enter one of the largest and fastest growing sectors of Tanzania’s economy – construction.
• With the gift of a parcel of land and women willing and ready to learn TAWAH’s mission received the support of Julius Baer Foundation and the financial resources to realise their plans.
• Through the Mhaga village project, TAWAH has taken vocational training in construction to women in a marginalised area who previously had no access to education locally.
• The women are now gaining skills, an income and newfound respect from their community as well as breaking down barriers into a traditionally male-dominated industry.
• The project is in its second phase with the aim to train 50 more women and build 4 more houses for the community.
• The ultimate goal is to extend its reach throughout Tanzania.
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Become a Changemaker
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Volunteers, including project designers, managers and administrators are at the heart of TAWAH's mission. If you’re interested, and maybe already in Tanzania, ask about getting involved!
