Maasai pastoralists are among the poorest people in Tanzania, often excluded from political processes and lacking access to basic social services. Maasai women are further marginalised, as both citizens of a country that undermines or disregards pastoralist values and also part of a deeply patriarchal culture. Maasai women traditionally lack land and property ownership rights, access to basic healthcare and education, as well as the ability to make decisions about their own lives and bodies.
Our Mission is promoting sound cultural, environmental and educational development of pastoralist women and children to facilitate their access to essential social services and economic empowerment. Our Vision is a developed society, which respects human rights and justice for all. PWC is guided in its work by four principles of solidarity, equality, trust and transparency. |
About PWC
PWC was founded by Maanda Ngoitiko as a Community-Based Organisation in 1997. Since then we have listened and learned from pastoralist and agro-pastoralist women and developed projects based on their wants and needs. PWC serves Ngorongoro and Longido Districts in Arusha region, north-eastern Tanzania. Together the districts cover 22,638 square kilometres and are made up 84 villages, 30 wards, and seven divisions. The majority of Ngorongoro and Longido’s inhabitants are Maasai pastoralists with Sonjo, Tatoga and Hadzabe ethnic communities also living in the districts. PWC has mainly been working with Maasai and Sonjo communities, on the basis of responding to women’s expressed needs and demands. Today, we have approximately 3,000 women members; local, national and international donors; and key partners that help contribute to our many achievements.
PWC has 21 staff and 26 volunteers, with 22 of our community volunteers trained to manage nursery schools and adult literacy classes. PWC has a management team of five under the leadership of the Executive Director, and this includes the Programme Manager, Financial Manager and the Executive Director. The staff are full time employees and are all responsible for implementing daily activities.
The Executive Director reports to the PWC Board of 12 members elected by the General Assembly for a period of three years. The General Assembly, which brings together all PWC members and the community, meets once a year to review the activities of the organisation during the year and approve its plans for the next year, and is considered the paramount organ of PWC. The PWC Board meets quarterly and approves monthly finances and plans.
To learn more about PWC please go to our Publications page.
PWC has 21 staff and 26 volunteers, with 22 of our community volunteers trained to manage nursery schools and adult literacy classes. PWC has a management team of five under the leadership of the Executive Director, and this includes the Programme Manager, Financial Manager and the Executive Director. The staff are full time employees and are all responsible for implementing daily activities.
The Executive Director reports to the PWC Board of 12 members elected by the General Assembly for a period of three years. The General Assembly, which brings together all PWC members and the community, meets once a year to review the activities of the organisation during the year and approve its plans for the next year, and is considered the paramount organ of PWC. The PWC Board meets quarterly and approves monthly finances and plans.
To learn more about PWC please go to our Publications page.
Copyright 2006-2016 – Pastoral Women’s Council (PWC). PWC is a Tanzanian registered charity SO.no.10180