Empowering women with the skills to work and thrive in the sustainable housing business.
-6.4012301991155, 34.9899
49%
of Tanzanians live below the international poverty line.[1]
1%
The richest 1% of Tanzanians possess as much wealth as the poorest 40%.[2]
3
Construction is among the top three sectors that contributed to the growth of Tanzania’s economy.[3]
We will not sit back anymore. We will work and move forward
Our Commitment
Julius Baer Foundation and TAWAH join forces for the construction and development of the Knowledge Centre in Mhaga Village.
Ultimately, the centre shall boost women's employability prospects in the sustainable housing fields by:
- training them to produce sustainable, modern mud bricks whose sale supports the centre’s activities and expansion to other regions in Tanzania.
- helping renovate or build homes for the elderly, people with disabilities, and female-headed households.
- preparing women for activities in the construction sector; a field that has long been perceived as a male domain.
- developing business and marketing skills.
- raising awareness in the public and private sector of the need for inclusive community mobilisation to build better, affordable housing.
The initiative will allow TAWAH to conduct its activities sustainably, ultimately extending its reach to marginalised communities throughout Tanzania.
Tanzania Women Architects for Humanity (TAWAH) is an NGO established in 2010 by Tanzanian women architects and engineers committed to improving housing options for Tanzania’s most affected rural populations: women, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
TAWAH equips women and girls with the skills to participate directly in building housing and sanitary facilities that are:
- high-quality
- affordable, and
- environmentally friendly
Collectively, TAWAH’s members have expertise in all phases of construction:
- needs assessment
- design
- materials production
- construction
- project management, and
- turn-over of the finished structure
The Julius Baer Foundation has partnered with TAWAH in the construction of a women-led Knowledge Centre in Mhaga Village, Kisarawe District. Disadvantaged women and girls—many of whom have not had access to formal education—will work at the centre, alongside a team of teachers and mentors that includes:
- TAWAH members
- women business owners and
- women employees in the construction industry
[1] Source: NBS
https://www.nbs.go.tz/nbs/takwimu/hbs/Tanzania_Mainland_Poverty_Assessment_Report.pdf
[2] Source: UNDP
http://hdr.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/TZA
[3] Source: Kikwasi, G.J. and C. Escalante. 2020. The Construction Sector in Tanzania. In: Mining for Change: Natural
Resources and Industry in Africa, J. Page and F. Tarp, eds. Oxford Scholarship Online. Accessed on 9 April
https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780198851172.001.0001/oso-9780198851172-chapter-12
Become a Changemaker
Volunteers, including project designers, managers and administrators are at the heart of TAWAH's mission. If you’re interested, and maybe already in Tanzania, ask about getting involved!
