Pastoral Women's Council
Empowerment for Tanzania's Maasai

The Pastoral Women's Council of Tanzania was founded to conceive and implement long-term structural solutions for the poverty and marginalisation of pastoralist and agro-pastoralist women and children. PWC is women-led and encourages women to openly discuss the positive and negative aspects of their culture, to act on their findings, and to mobilise local efforts and resources. There is no other organisation in the remote districts of Northern Tanzania that is solely focused on reducing inequalities and promoting justice for pastoralist women and children. We work to address three key problems facing pastoralist women:

Lack of education for Maasai girls. Normally Maasai women are expected to concentrate on building and repairing houses, fetching firewood and water, and milking animals, as well as raising and feeding children and cooking for the male family members. The lack of educated and professional Maasai women to fight for gender equality and against patriarchal household structures is therefore self-perpetuating.

Lack of financial independence and property ownership rights. Lack of financial assets and resources deprive women of the right to access basic needs such as health care, a balanced diet for them and their family, clothing, shelter and educational opportunities for their children.

Lack of participation in political decisions. Traditionally, Maasai women are not allowed to speak in public/community meetings or participate in decisions. As a result, community agendas are determined by men and issues of concern to women, such as domestic violence, forced marriage, women’s property rights and HIV/AIDS are not given appropriate attention or priority. 

Through our efforts:

• Over 400 students have been sponsored through secondary school, 14 through university and 25 have graduated teaching college

• PWC sponsored female graduates are working as lawyers, teachers, accountants and in other organisations serving their communities

• Hundreds of young girls have escaped forced marriages

• 875 women have tangible financial support through our microcredit scheme

• 4,600 adults and 13,800 children have access to safe water

• 7,000 adults have been informed about their Land Rights
© Copyright 2006-2011 – Pastoral Women’s Council PWC. PWC is a Tanzanian registered charity SO.no.10180
Contact Information:

PWC
P.O. Box 72
Loliondo
Tanzania

pwctanzania@gmail.com