| 19 March 2010
The Women’s Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality (WEDGE) programme was initiated in 2002 and is sponsored by the Government of Ireland. The aim of the WEDGE is to eradicate socio-cultural, practical, legal and political obstacles for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs (MSMEs), in particularly women entrepreneurs. Another aim is to encourage gender mainstreaming in governmental policies and projects. The WEDGE works through several initiatives and with different methods, following a development and rights-based approach. For example, the WEDGE organizes business training and discussion forums for entrepreneurs and organizational leaders, advocates for gender sensitive policies and practices and gives advice and information on gender issues in order to create a better work environment for micro, small and medium entrepreneurs in Tanzania.What are the 2010 objectives?
WEDGE to network on the East African Common Market Protocol The WEDGE and its associates will be introduced to and network on the East African Common Market Protocol and its implications for women entrepreneurs, as the WEDGE Dar es Salaam office organizes a joint sub-regional meeting on the Protocol, which will be presented by Ms. Mary Makoffu, the Principal Labor and Employment Officer in the East Africa Community. Entrepreneurs can benefit from the new regulations. The Protocol opens up new opportunities for entrepreneurs, who will be able to more freely between the partner states of the East African Community and expand their markets. Among others, representatives from the Women Entrepreneur Associations will be invited to participate. The meeting is planned to be held in Arusha in March.
The objectives of phase three of the WEDGE project are to develop and consolidate the already initiated projects and partnerships and to build the capacity of local partners, so that the ILO-tools will be embedded and ongoing. Initiatives will be followed up and activities such as the Month of Women Entrepreneurs (MOWE) and workshops will be carried out. The work will also focus on facilitating consultative meetings with various stakeholders on gender and disability mainstreaming in action plans, projects and development frameworks. For example, discussions on gender will be held with commercial banks and other financial institutions, in order to improve their services with regard to gender equality.
Who benefits from the work of the WEDGE in Tanzania?
The group of beneficiaries is diverse, but all of them are micro, small or medium entrepreneurs, a majority are women, some have a disability and some are living with HIV/ AIDS. The beneficiaries work in various sectors and face different challenges. The WEDGE is working to eliminate existing socio-cultural and regulatory barriers facing these entrepreneurs.
What are the achievements of the WEDGE programme in Tanzania?
Improvement of the business environment for women entrepreneurs
The WEDGE has reached out to more than 2 500 women entrepreneurs, who have participated in training workshops on entrepreneurship development skills by using ILO-WEDGE tools. These tools are intended to give skills in and new ideas on technical, organizational, leadership, good governance, association formation and communication issues, in order to strengthen the associations and the entrepreneurs:
- IYES: Improve your exhibition skills guide
- WEA: Women Entrepreneurs Association capacity building guide
- Gender and Entrepreneurship Together Ahead (GET Ahead)
- MOWE: Month of Women Entrepreneur guide
The WEDGE has also participated in creating linkages to both local and international markets as well as access to financial markets. The work of the WEDGE has gained acknowledgement by the national leaders and international donors, as well as the public at large. In 2009, Ms. Rhoda Mwamunyange, the National Programme Coordinator for the WEDGE in Tanzania, won the Tanzania Women Achievement Award for her achievements.
Increased access to domestic and international markets
More than 1 500 women entrepreneurs participated in national and international trade fairs, at SABA SABA, the United Nations Day and at “Jua Kali / Nguvu Kazi” exhibitions, during July, August, September and November 2009. The events represented opportunities to gain experience and exchange contacts with national and international customers. One woman entrepreneur from Dodoma who produces mushroom juice, received an order worth TZS 23 million.
Increased availability of gender responsive business development services (BDS)
Business registration and licensing procedures have been decentralized and made more accessible and less bureaucratic, enabling entrepreneurs to register their businesses more easily. More than 169 women registered their businesses in Tanzania Business and Licensing Authority (BRELA) in October 2009.
During a regular breakfast meeting arranged by the Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce and supported by the WEDGE, a new model of business cluster-shared services, within the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF), was introduced. The aim of the new service is to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs.
In August 2009, 12 women entrepreneurs supported by the WEDGE won an entrepreneurial competition and received grants worth TZS 63 000 000.00 from the Honorable Mohamed Sein, Vice President of the United Republic of Tanzania.
The WEDGE and the Women’s Bank
In September 2009, the second MOWE event organized by the WEDGE linked up more than
1 000 women entrepreneurs to the Tanzania Women’s Bank (a bank with favourable loan conditions as compared to other commercial banks, founded in 2009). The guest of honour was the First Lady, Madam Salma Kikwete, Chairperson of Wanawake na Maendeleo (WAMA).
