National Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender in Climate Change.

This National Strategy for Mainstreaming Gender in Climate Change is a nationwide cross-sectoral document aiming at ensuring that Tanzania mainstreams gender considerations into policies, programs and strategies related to climate change so that both women and men can have access to, participate in, contribute to, and hence benefit from climate change initiatives and efforts, taking into account the diverse needs, roles, and contributions of both men and women in the sustainable development endeavors. The Strategy is developed as part of the National Climate Change Strategy and recognizes the role of men and women as agents of change if they proportionately participate in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. The document is built on the following 6 priority focus areas, each comprising sub-sections on women as agents of change (1) Agriculture; (2) Water; (3) Health; (4) Energy; (5) Forest/REDD+; and (6) Integrated Coastal Management.
To make agriculture more productive and sustainable, the Strategy seeks to (i) strengthen early warning system in agriculture to facilitate weather forecasting; (ii) invest in groundwater extraction and rain harvesting to supplement household and agricultural water needs.
More inclusive and efficient agricultural and food systems ca be enhanced through (i) promotion of women’s participation in sustainable agriculture programs; (ii) participation of women and girls through formal and informal education in the agricultural sector; (iii) participation through formal and informal education for women and girls in forestry sector; (iv) strengthened capacity and participation of women and women’s organizations on REDD+.
The resilience of livelihoods to disasters shall be increased by (i) improving agriculture related infrastructures to adapt to the effects of climate change; (ii) developing a data bank on vulnerability for drought-prone areas; (iii) building capacity of men and women in local communities on water management related to CC; (iv) assessing water source catchment areas and improve water flow; (v) promoting best practices for the efficient use of water and management of water-producing ecosystems; (vi) enhancing the capacity of women in the community to prepare and cope with disasters; (vii) improving disease surveillance and control program; (viii) increasing access and affordability of alternatives sources of energy to both men and women; (ix) reducing overdependence on biomass energy sources and promote the use of waste-based energy sources (e.g. crop residuals, wood ash); (x) implementing gender based economic incentive policies to reduce forest and biodiversity vulnerability to climate change; (xi) developing gender-responsive programs/projects addressing climate change adaptation in coasts; (xii) improving women capacity for addressing the CC challenges in coastal areas.
As for Governance, there is a need of (i) strengthening institutional framework for CC governance and improved coordination at all levels; (ii) building the capacity to improve understanding and support processes that mainstream gender and CC in relevant government sector. Once approved, the Strategy should become a mandatory framework in the development of any further initiatives, programs or communication reports on climate change.