Empowering women, strengthening communities against climate shocks

TANZANIA: For many people, climate change is often discussed through statistics, rising temperatures, droughts, floods, and environmental reports. But for millions of women and girls across Tanzania, climate change is not an abstract concept. It is a daily reality that determines whether there is water to fetch, food to prepare, income to earn, and children to care for.

That reality is at the heart of the work being championed by MyLEGACY, a Tanzanian organization that is helping communities understand that climate change is far more than an environmental issue. It is also a development challenge that affects livelihoods, education, health, gender equality, and social inclusion.

“Climate change does not operate in isolation,” says MyLEGACY Programme Coordinator Amina Mtengeti. “It intersects with gender inequality, disability inclusion, education and health systems. Women, girls and persons with disabilities face compounded vulnerabilities that must be addressed deliberately.”

Her observation reflects a growing global understanding that the climate crisis affects different groups in different ways. While everyone feels the impact of extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and environmental degradation, women and girls often bear the heaviest burden because of their traditional responsibilities within households and communities.

Yet, as Amina points out, awareness alone is not enough. Communities need practical solutions that strengthen resilience, create economic opportunities, and empower people to become active participants in climate action rather than passive victims of climate impacts.

That is precisely the approach adopted by MyLEGACY.

According to Amina, the organization recognises that climate change is closely linked to poverty, gender inequality, and limited economic opportunities, particularly for women and girls. Rather than addressing these challenges separately, MyLEGACY uses a community-centered model that combines climate action, economic empowerment, education, and gender-responsive leadership to build stronger and more resilient communities.

At the core of the organization’s strategy is the belief that poverty and climate vulnerability are deeply interconnected. Families living in poverty often have fewer resources to recover from floods, droughts, crop failures, or other climate- related shocks. A failed harvest, for example, can quickly translate into food insecurity, loss of income, and increased hardship.

To address this challenge, MyLEGACY equips women and young people with entrepreneurship skills, financial literacy, mentorship, and access to livelihood opportunities. The objective is simple but powerful: economically empowered individuals are better prepared to withstand climate-related disruptions.

By helping women diversify their sources of income, establish businesses, and strengthen financial independence, the organization is enabling communities to adapt to changing environmental conditions while improving household welfare.

Environmental sustainability is another key pillar of MyLEGACY’s work. Through climate education programs, conservation initiatives, and community awareness campaigns, the organization seeks to nurture a generation that understands both the causes and consequences of climate change.

One of its flagship initiatives, the Kesho Njema Project, has trained students and teachers in energy conservation, climate action, and gender-responsive environmental leadership. The project not only increases awareness but also encourages young people to become environmental stewards capable of driving change within their schools and communities.

MyLEGACY’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond classrooms. Through Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programs, improved hygiene infrastructure, and the promotion of reusable sanitary pads, the organization is introducing practical solutions that support both environmental conservation and community wellbeing.

These interventions reduce waste, improve health outcomes, and provide sustainable alternatives that benefit schools and households alike.

While policy discussions often dominate conversations around climate change, some of the most innovative solutions are emerging directly from local communities.

One such example comes from Kivule Ward in Dar es Salaam, where community members are translating climate knowledge into practical action.

Veronica Julius, a participant in MyLEGACY’s environmental training program, understands firsthand how climate change affects everyday life.

A farmer and casual agricultural worker, Veronica has witnessed the devastating impact of extreme weather patterns on livelihoods in her community.

“Sometimes the rains are extremely heavy, while at other times there is intense heat and drought,” she explains.

In Kivule, heavy rainfall often floods farming areas, leaving fields waterlogged and unusable. During dry seasons, sandy soils lose moisture rapidly, making cultivation nearly impossible. The result is reduced agricultural production and diminished income for families that depend on farming.

These challenges are becoming increasingly familiar in many communities across Tanzania.

However, Veronica says training and awareness programs have helped residents identify practical ways to adapt.

One of the most successful initiatives has been the establishment of gender clubs that combine environmental conservation with economic activities.

The clubs encourage members to explore innovative ways of protecting the environment while generating income.

A central component of their work is the promotion of a zero-waste approach.

Rather than viewing waste as a problem, participants are encouraged to see it as a resource and an opportunity.

This philosophy inspired the creation of a community project known as the Green Village.

Developed as part of environmental competitions involving schoolchildren, the Green Village was constructed using recycled cardboard materials and designed to demonstrate practical environmental solutions.

Within the model village, participants showcased a community biogas system powered by animal waste. The project illustrated how livestock waste, which is readily available in many households, can be transformed into clean and environmentally friendly energy.

The village also featured a Climate School, where visitors learned about environmental conservation and climate adaptation.

Fruit trees and other environmentally beneficial species were incorporated into the project to demonstrate how tree planting can support climate resilience while providing economic and nutritional benefits.

Equally important was the focus on waste management.

Participants learned how to separate organic and dry waste and discovered that discarded materials could be transformed into valuable products rather than ending up in dumpsites.

Used plastic water bottles were converted into decorative flower holders, while fibers collected from local plants were transformed into handicrafts.

The initiative delivered a simple but powerful message: waste is not merely rubbish, it can be a source of income, creativity, and environmental protection.

While community innovation is essential, experts stress that meaningful climate action must also address gender dimensions.

According to participatory facilitator Neema Abeid, women must be actively involved in climate-related projects because they are often the individuals most affected by environmental challenges.

Women frequently shoulder primary responsibility for household tasks, including water collection, caregiving, food preparation, and family welfare.

When drought reduces access to water, women walk longer distances to fetch it. When disease outbreaks occur, women are often the caregivers tending to sick family members. When food shortages arise, women are usually the first to confront the consequences within households.

Because they experience these impacts directly, Neema argues that women must play a central role in designing and implementing climate solutions.

Her work focuses not only on teaching but also on creating spaces where women from different communities can exchange experiences, identify common challenges, and learn from one another.

Although climate impacts vary from one region to another, participants often discover striking similarities in the burdens they face.

Through dialogue and collaboration, they explore strategies that have helped communities become more resilient and better prepared for future climate challenges.

These exchanges foster practical learning while strengthening solidarity among women confronting similar realities.

MyLEGACY’s approach recognizes that empowering women is not simply a matter of social justice, it is also a climate strategy.

Women and girls are placed at the center of programming because their leadership, participation, and resilience are essential to building sustainable communities.

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The organization supports girls through school-based initiatives, girl-friendly WASH facilities, menstrual health programs, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights education. These interventions help girls remain in school while reducing vulnerabilities that climate-related disruptions can exacerbate.

At the same time, MyLEGACY continues to highlight the connections between climate change, gender inequality, gender-based violence, health outcomes, and economic opportunities.

By promoting gender-responsive climate action, the organization ensures that policies and interventions reflect the realities experienced by women and girls. The message emerging from communities such as Kivule is both urgent and hopeful.

Climate change presents serious challenges, but communities are not standing still. Women are leading environmental initiatives, transforming waste into wealth, planting trees, creating sustainable livelihoods, and developing innovative solutions that strengthen resilience.

As Tanzania works toward its long-term development goals, these grassroots efforts demonstrate that climate action is most effective when it is inclusive, community-driven, and rooted in local realities.

The future of climate resilience may not be found solely in conference halls or policy documents. It may also be found in village meetings, school projects, women’s groups, and community gardens where ordinary citizens are taking extraordinary steps to protect the environment and improve lives.

In that journey, women are not merely participants. They are leaders, innovators, and catalysts of change.