Problems and Purpose

Since its founding in 2000, Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO) has worked to address urgent problems that Maasai women in northern Tanzania face. The Maasai Women Development Organization, or MWEDO, is a Tanzanian organization. By giving Maasai women access to opportunities, resources, and education, this organization aims to empower them and enhance their communities and standard of living. MWEDO concentrates on a number of issues, including economic development, healthcare, education, and women's rights in Maasai villages in Tanzania. They frequently advocate for women's rights, provide access to healthcare, and offer entrepreneurship training (Maasai Women Development Organization , 2024).

Background History and Context

Tanzania is an East African nation renowned for its varied topography. Numerous ethnic groups, each with distinctive customs, dialects, and cultures, call it home. The Maasai, a pastoralist society that lives semi-nomadically in several parts of Tanzania, is one such ethnic group. The Maasai people are well-known in northern Tanzania and they lead a unique lifestyle that is defined by their traditional attire, beadwork, and a strong sense of cultural significance and pastoralist ancestry. They also depend on cattle for food. 

However, land difficulties have been a serious problem for Maasai women in particular. Maasai land was traditionally owned communally, and choices about its allocation and use were decided by the entire community. However, the Maasai have experienced relocation and limitations on their customary land use practices as a result of the adoption of numerous conservation regulations and the creation of national parks and protected areas (Human Rights Watch , 2023)

Numerous groups and activists have worked to address these issues and promote Maasai women's rights in land-related problems. This involves speaking with authorities, raising awareness, and encouraging legal literacy in order to guarantee that the rights of indigenous communities—especially women—are upheld and safeguarded in the face of shifting land dynamics (Human Rights Watch , 2023).

Traditionally referred to as pastoralists, the Maasai people, who make up approximately 4% of the population and number over two million, have travelled during the seasons to locate grazing areas for their livestock. The Maasai people, who are mostly found in Tanzania's north-central region—more specifically, in the Arusha and Manyara areas—are impacted by the region's economic activities, which include mining, large-scale farming, and tourism.

The Maasai Women Development Organisation (MWEDO) is committed to making a major contribution to Tanzania's Poverty Reduction Strategy and Development Vision 2025. Through increased income access and the advancement of gender equality, these programmes seek to improve the well-being of marginalised Maasai women and girls. The overall vision supports the objective of providing all people with high-quality livelihoods by highlighting the necessity of addressing gender and racial disparities in order to promote sustainable livelihoods and positive economic growth.

Stimulating economic growth, expanding educational opportunities, strengthening maternal health, and advancing human and cultural rights among Tanzania's Maasai communities are among MWEDO's strategic goals. This mission takes place in the background of Tanzania's demographic environment, where 43.6 million people live overall, the majority of whom (89%) are employed in pastoralism and small-scale farming in rural and semi-urban areas

Working in more than 45 countries, the Huairou Commission is a women-led social movement made up of grassroots organisations representing indigenous, impoverished, and rural women. Our members collaborate with technical partners to bring about revolutionary change that enhances women's position, quality of life, and living conditions for themselves and their families as well as for communities and municipalities (Huairou Commission, 2020).

 Land displacement puts traditional communal land ownership in jeopardy and increases competition for resources. It is brought on by conservation measures and the growth of sectors like tourism and agriculture. The vulnerability of Maasai women, who are frequently the main breadwinners for their families, is exacerbated by gender differences in land rights. Weak infrastructure makes economic marginalisation even more difficult to overcome and makes it more difficult for the community to shift to other sources of income. The primary goals of MWEDO are to uplift Maasai women by fighting for gender-neutral land rights and maintaining cultural identity in the face of economic change. The organisation wants to promote legislative changes that take into account the particular requirements of indigenous communities, boost economic growth, and enhance livelihoods through health and education programmes. MWEDO's main objective is to uplift Maasai communities, contributing to positive economic development while preserving their cultural heritage. 

In addition to collecting information on land ownership, use, and conflicts, this mapping process entails community mobilisation and legal advocacy for the acknowledgement and defence of Maasai land rights. These initiatives seek to uphold Maasai women's and communities' rights and guarantee their participation in land management and conservation decision-making processes by drawing attention to the difficulties they have in obtaining and managing land.

Organizing, Supporting, and Funding Entities

MWEDO Current Partners;

1. Stephen Lewis Foundation - SLF is a Canadian based partner of MWEDO supporting education programs and community healthcare since 2011 (60 million girls, 2021).

2. Every Mother Counts - EMC is a US based foundation supporting MWEDO intervention on maternal healthcare since 2017.

3. The Foundation for Civil Society- FCS is Tanzanian partner of MWEDO supporting women and Youth, land rights and economic empowerment since 2012.

4.TRIAS Tanzania - TRIAS support MWEDO women economic empowerment, women and youth businesses, savings and credit. TRIAS is MWEDO partner since 2015.

5. Global Funds for Women - GFW is a partner of MWEDO supporting movement building, women's rights interventions since 2003.

6. African Women Development Fund - AWDF supports MWEDO Women land and property rights initiatives since 2020.

7.Comic Relief - CR is a British charity which supports women leadership and participation including movement building against gender based violence since 2019.

8. Reach Out to Humanity - ROTH Canada supports the MWEDO secondary school and sponsorship for girls education since 2010.

9. GIRLS PHENOMON Project - Support education sponsorship for girls at MWEDO secondary school since 2017.

Participant Recruitment and Selection

 Local authorities, village elders, and powerful leaders; Maasai women and men in the targeted communities; this zone is dominated by pastoralism with very little agro-pastoralism and social services; The Maasai community was the focus of the mapping process project. Due to their limited access to decision-making, women and girls in pastoral communities are the most vulnerable and neglected group and hence required special attention.

To effectively capture the nuances of this community, the project utilizes a combination of interviews and questionnaires, enriched by thorough training sessions for facilitators on both written and oral interviewing techniques. Remarkably, many women lead in conducting these surveys, underscoring the project's commitment to elevating the voices of those it aims to serve. Facilitators, well-prepared through their training, conduct random interviews with a wide cross-section of the community, including local leaders and the Maasai men and women themselves (Ngulupa).

This methodical approach not only gathers diverse perspectives but also fosters community engagement and participation. It stands as a tribute to the project's dedication to understanding and improving the lives of the Maasai, with a concentrated effort on supporting its most at-risk members.

Methods and Tools Used

With the support from HUAIROU commission, MWEDO introduced a mapping process project in land and property rights for Maasai women in Northern Districts of Tanzania.

The main purpose of mapping process project was to record useful information on land and housing for maasai women. Through interviews and surveys at a community level it was useful to find out that maasai people lack knowledge on land laws as they have maintained their customary land rights.

What Went On: Process, Interaction, and Participation

Recruits participants through various channels such as community outreach programs, social media campaigns, word-of-mouth referrals, and partnerships with local organizations or institutions. The participants are often individuals who are passionate about the organization's mission and objectives.

To engage participants, MWEDO offers various opportunities for involvement, such as volunteering, attending workshops or events, joining committees or task forces, or becoming members of the organization. They also provide training sessions or resources to equip participants with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute effectively.

MWEDO builds participation by fostering a sense of community and belonging among participants, creating platforms for networking and collaboration, and recognizing and celebrating the contributions of individuals. They may also involve participants in decision-making processes, allowing them to have a voice in shaping the organization's direction and initiatives.

To attract people to participate in their organization or activities, MWEDO highlights the impact and benefits of getting involved, emphasizing the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others and contribute to positive social change. They may also leverage personal stories or testimonials from current participants to showcase the value of being part of the organization.

In emphasizing agency and activism, MWEDO empowers participants to take ownership of their roles within the organization and encourages them to actively advocate for issues they care about. They provide opportunities for individuals to engage in advocacy campaigns, community organizing efforts, and grassroots initiatives, empowering them to become agents of change in their communities.

Influence, Outcomes, and Effects

This project's ability to empower is at its core. The programme has started to challenge established conventions about gender roles and decision-making participation by giving women a prominent place in the survey process and giving priority to the voices of the most disadvantaged. This deliberate inclusion serves as a spark for transformation, dismantling entrenched obstacles and promoting a reconsideration of women's responsibilities both inside and beyond the community.

The project's increased awareness of the demands and challenges faced by women and girls is among its most noticeable results. This transparency has influenced the creation of programmes meant to address certain vulnerabilities and opened the door for more focused support systems. In addition, interacting with a diverse range of community members—including leaders and local authorities—has created new opportunities for cooperation and support as well as a sense of shared responsibility.

Analysis and Lessons Learned

The Maasai community's mapping process project offers a plethora of insights and lessons that extend well beyond its original purpose, making it an invaluable case study for similar initiatives around the world. Several crucial components that were crucial to the project's success are highlighted by a critical analysis of it: Comprehensive training for facilitators allowed for the use of adaptive research methods, which allowed for a nuanced understanding of community dynamics. Deep community engagement ensured that the project was embraced as a collaborative endeavour rather than an external imposition. The prioritisation of traditionally marginalised voices, particularly those of women and girls, demonstrated the profound impact of inclusive approaches on both immediate outcomes and broader societal norms.

It is crucial to draw on local systems of influence and governance to improve project efficiency and effectiveness. It is also crucial to work within the cultural context to acquire acceptance and achieve sustainable impact. The project also emphasises the difficulties with replication and scaling; what works in one setting could need to be significantly modified in another, highlighting the necessity of adaptability and sensitivity to local dynamics. The experience also emphasises the value of ongoing learning and adaptation—using frequent introspection and feedback to modify tactics guarantees their continued applicability and efficacy.

References

60 million girls. (2021, June 18). 2017 - Tanzania - 60 million girls. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from 60 million girls website: https://60millionsdefilles.org/en/our-projects/2017-tanzania/

Huairou Commission. (2020, December 11). Home. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from Huairou Commission website: https://huairou.org/

Human Rights Watch. (2023, April 27). Tanzania: Maasai Forcibly Displaced for Game Reserve. Retrieved July 11, 2024, from Human Rights Watch website: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/04/27/tanzania-maasai-forcibly-displaced-game-reserve

Maasai Women Development Organization . (2024, February 13). Maasai Women Development Organization . Retrieved July 11, 2024, from Maasai Women Development Organization (MWEDO) website: https://maasaiwomentanzania.com/

Ngulupa, E. Community based mapping and local dialogues as tools to secure land and housing rights. Retrieved from https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/pdf-viewer-extension.html