Coletha Chiponde strikes a winner’s pose for a photo. She has every reason to do so. As a smallholder farmer from the Mtwara region in southern Tanzania, she had no female role model for the position she has fought for. Thanks to training from SWISSAID and its partner organisations, Coletha now has several leadership roles: she trains other women on the topic of violence against women and raises awareness among the village population for more equal opportunities and equal rights.
She is on the advisory committee of the secondary school and ensures that girls learn that they do not have to endure oppression and sexual exploitation but can claim the same rights as the boys. As head of the farmers’ group, she also does her utmost to support other women who want to take on leadership roles and has thus become a mentor.
Previously, all the leading positions in the region were held by men. For both the men and the women in the village, it was clear that Coletha’s responsibilities as a woman were limited to domestic chores, field work and childcare. “I grew up in an environment where women were ignored because of the patriarchal system, cultural and religious beliefs and were therefore powerless,” says Coletha. Families favoured sons over daughters because they were expected to be more economically successful. To the detriment of women, who are essential to the survival of the household and often responsible for feeding the children. The lack of access to education, networks and resources as well as low self-confidence and high barriers to economic activities also contribute to the fact that girls in rural areas of Tanzania do not dare to dream of leadership positions.
Empowerment for change
The turning point in Coletha’s life was the SWISSAID project “Training, leadership and equality – for a future worth living for women in Tanzania”. The training courses are aimed at the areas where change is needed. Women in leadership positions are needed to defend women’s rights by knowing and applying the laws on equal rights and informing other women about them. They are also involved in decision-making processes and can influence these decisions in favour of women’s needs. SWISSAID provides coaching for women like Coletha in leadership positions and supports them in networking: “I now am confident enough to lead a group, speak in front of people and express my opinion without fear at community meetings.”
Coletha Chiponde’s story is one of many success stories from our projects in Tanzania. It shows how women initiate meaningful change. Over a five-year period (2019-2024), 2,335 women benefited directly and around 12,550 women indirectly from those projects.
“I now am confident enough to lead a group, speak in front of people and express my opinion without fear at community meetings.”
Coletha Chiponde, Smallholder farmer from Mtwara, Tanzania.
Gender transformation and cultural practices
Another focus of the project is the transformation of gender roles by addressing and tackling negative behaviours, norms and cultural practices that exclude women from certain activities. Not only the women, but also the men are sensitised. Group discussions and role plays, as well as radio programmes and theatre, are used to encourage a change in thinking and pave the way for more women in leadership roles. Because without a change in the patriarchal system, the women’s situation will not change either.
This approach has also borne fruit for Colentha’s husband, Shaibu Ntavanga: “I wholeheartedly support my wife in her role as an educator. Coletha has not only opened my eyes, but also those of everyone in the village.”
The path towards more equality between men and women also has valuable side effects for the marriage, as Coletha’s husband knows: “She has made me realise how important it is to make decisions together as a couple. And that’s what I say to all my friends, support your wives!”
The project approach, in which women are trained in leadership roles and thus gain more economic independence, will be continued as part of the CROPS4HD project. SWISSAID will continue to support women on the path to greater equality so that more and more of them dare not only to dream of leadership roles, but also to occupy them. Because by strengthening their autonomy and their power to act, an entire community moves towards greater social justice, more opportunities… and less hunger.
