TAHA through financial support by UNWOMEN has launched a new project “Realizing Gender Equality through Empowering Women and Adolescent Girls” in Ikungi and Msalala districts in Singida and Shinyanga regions respectively to bolster economic empowerment of women through Horticulture value chains. The launching of this project took place in Ikungi district was officiated by Singida Regional Commissioner, Ms. Rehema Nchimbi, UNWOMEN, UNFPA, KOICA and other implementing partners. Addressing during the launching of the project, the RC challenged women and girls in Singida and Shinyanga to take advantage of project as to transforming their lives “After inauguration of this project, let the women and adolescent girls use this opportunity in fulfilling their dreams.” She said. Ms. Nchimbi appreciated the fact that the project is designed towards bringing gender equality since it focuses on raising economic profile of marginalized groups such as women and adolescence girls. On her part, Dr. Jacqueline Mkindi – CEO, TAHA promised that TAHA would utilize the cumulated experience of working in the horticulture industry in various parts of the country to help women and adolescent girls overcoming the socioeconomic challenges in the project areas. “We are truly happy to be part of this project as we see it as a vehicle in bringing horticulture revolution in these regions. We will employ various innovative farming approaches and technologies suitable to the women and girls to enhance productivity and competitiveness in horticulture production and ultimately enhance their income” Said Dr. Mkindi. She also assured working closely with the government and other implementers towards changing the lives of women and adolescent girls in these regions. This project focuses on empowering women smallholder farmers, including young women, to enhance agricultural production. The support package will advance collective marketing to establish a strong link between farmers and buyers, facilitate the construction of one warehouse to improve post-harvest handling, financial training to enhance access to finance and financial management in partnership with local financial institutions, and entrepreneurship skills in horticulture value chains alongside strengthening land tenure system. TAHA approach to promoting gender equality, women and youth economic empowerment prioritizes addressing barriers related to knowledge, market access as well as access to productive resources such as inputs.
