Women empowerment drive targets government tender opportunities

DODOMA: THE ‘Wanawake and Samia’ Tanzania Organisation has embarked on a new initiative to train women on how to compete for government tenders upon completing vocational skills training at the Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) centres.

Speaking at the Nane Nane Agricultural Exhibition at Nzuguni grounds in Dodoma, The National Secretary of the ‘Wanawake na Samia’ Tanzania Organisation, Ms Hamida Khoja, said the move aims to equip members with both technical skills and procurement knowledge to enable them to engage in productive entrepreneurship.

“As of August 1 this year, a total of 8,378 women out of over 10,000 registered members have received training, while others are still undergoing vocational skills programmes at about 40 VETA centres across the country,” she said.

Ms Koja noted that the programme is in line with President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s vision of economically empowering women.

“Our organisation includes women from all educational backgrounds from PhD holders to those who have never been to school but all are receiving skills training to venture into entrepreneurship,” she said.

She added that the skills acquired through VETA have enabled women to produce various products showcased in all zones hosting Nane Nane exhibitions.

The empowerment drive also focuses on building the capacity of women to participate in tendering processes, starting with regional leaders.

“We recommend that every woman completing VETA training should also receive Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) training to understand how to register in the procurement system, seek government contracts, and bid for tenders relevant to their fields, whether catering, tailoring, or other trades,” she said.

Ms Koja explained that the ‘Wanawake and Samia’ Tanzania Organisation was founded by Dodoma Regional Commissioner Rosemary Senyamule during her tenure in Geita, and has since expanded nationwide.

The idea of linking women’s empowerment to vocational training was presented to VETA leadership and later reached President Samia, who supported it.

“These trainings are free because they are funded by President Samia. For example, we once wanted to teach women batik-making but could not due to the high cost of materials and instructors. Today, the government covers these expenses, instructors are paid, and all necessary equipment is available — no centre has been stalled,” she said.

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She encouraged women to form groups according to their trades after completing training to benefit from opportunities in the supply and procurement sector.

The organisation now has members in all regions of the country and continues to inspire women to apply the knowledge and skills gained to improve their livelihoods and actively participate in the national economy.