Tweet

7.1 Recommended actions – policy coordination and leadership: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005

Guest post by: International Labour Organization

Article Overview: Staff an official position responsible for women’s enterprise development

7.1 Recommended actions – policy coordination and leadership: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005

(i) Staff an official position responsible for women’s enterprise development
In the immediate term, it is recommended that a staff position for women’s
enterprise development be created within the MIT-SME Section, and that it be given
responsibility for developing a work plan to foster growth-oriented women
entrepreneurs, and for cooperating with partners to implement the plan. It is also
important that this modality be planned and implemented in consultation with the
Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children (MoCDGC), and be linked
to existing expertise within the Tanzania Gender Network (TGNP).

(ii) Establish an Office of Women’s Enterprise Development (OWED)
In the longer term, it is recommended that the Tanzanian Government take steps, in
association with MoCDGC and the TGNP, to establish an Office of Women’s Enterprise
Development (OWED) and that the authority for such an Office be given status within
the SMEDP Implementation Framework.

This Office would be tasked with all issues pertaining to the development of
women’s enterprise development in the country, including: research; advocacy efforts on
behalf of women-owned MSMEs with other ministries and departments; negotiation with
donors for strategic support in favour of the development and growth of women-owned
enterprises, and; fostering an enabling environment that will alleviate the barriers women
face in their MSME activities. The model practice for this is the Office of Women’s
Business Ownership in the US Small Business Administration, which was put in place by
the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988. This was a landmark event in women’s
entrepreneurship development in the United States.

The proposed OWED would also be responsible for spearheading initiatives to
ensure gender mainstreaming in MSME programmes and networks. This should include
promoting use of the ILO’s FAMOS Check (gender audit tool) by all those developing
policies, programmes and services for the MSME sector.

(iii) Establish an inter-ministerial committee on women’s enterprise

Additionally, it is recommended that an inter-ministerial committee on women’s
enterprise be established with the mandate to work across government agency and donor
lines to foster the growth and development of women’s businesses. It would also
advocate at all levels of Government for responsive change to ensure implementation of
the gender equality polices laid out in the SMEDP Implementation Framework. A
WEDGE-Tanzania Steering Committee, as proposed in discussions between the ILO and
MIT and recommended in the Memorandum of Understanding between the two
organizations, could provide an excellent model for future implementation.

(iv) Conduct systematic research on the state of women in the MSE sector

To support the work of the OWED and the inter-ministerial committee, more
systematic research on the state of women in the MSE sector will be required. As soon as
practical, it is recommended that a comprehensive survey of the state of women in the
MSE sector be conducted. The results of this study will be useful to underpin advocacy
positions to improve the operating conditions of women-owned MSEs and foster their
growth. In addition, an inventory of initiatives targeted to women should be compiled
and used to promote best practice approaches among regions.

v) Ensure the participation of women entrepreneurs on the National Business Council
and the SME Forum

(vi) Hold donor-government meetings to discuss women’s enterprise development as a
strategic priority

Finally, it is recommended that a meeting be held between MIT-SME Section officials and
donor agencies to discuss the development of women’s enterprise development as a strategic priority
for coordinated donor funding. Consideration should be given to setting up a DAC sub-group on the
issue of women’s enterprise development.

Related Articles
  1.2 Mission Objectives: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  1.3 Methodology: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  6.0 The integrated framework for development of women entrepreneurs: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  7.0 Policy/programme coordination and leadership: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005
  1.1 Background and Introduction: Support for Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs in Tanzania, 2005

Article Tags: development, enterprise, enterprise development, enterprise development, Implementation Framework, Ministry of Community Development Gender, MIT SME Section, Office of Women s Enterprise Development OWED, Tanzania Gender Network TGNP, women entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs



Related Forum Posts
A ton of Great Women - You might want to profile Teresa Cascioli of LakePort Brewery. She has an amazing story! I met her at at the celebratory luncheon for the Profit/Chatelaine Top 100 Women Business Owners. The Top 100 list is also a great resource for inspirational stories of Women Entrepreneurs.
For all Women Entrepreneurs - Hi everyone, as you probably know by now I've just become a Moderator for this group. I'd like to get to know all the Women Entrepreneurs a little better so can you all post here and let me know who a little about yourselves and what business you are in. Take care, Carol
Fundraising for 3rd world Entrepreneurs - How great to learn that Evan is doing something for Entrepreneurs in Africa! It just makes me even more thankful to be part of this forum! After helping create a new charity for animals in my local community last year, I created a vision for a charity empowering Women Entrepreneurs. It won't happen for a while yet, but I know it is something I will do within the next few years. As we allow ourselves to think bigger, the opportunity to impact people becomes much bigger as well. Does anyone else have a desire to really make a difference in the world through this means?
Women Entrepreneur - I haven't really seen many posts from female entrepreneur's on the site - I know they're out there! C'mon Ladies, speak up - introduce yourselves in this thread, we'd love to have you involved more! Let us know who are top notched Women Entrepreneurs today.
Re: Newbie - Hi Mary, Welcome to the forum and thank you for telling us a little about yourself and your plans which I applaud. As much as I wanted a house pet when I was small, my parents quite rightly decided against it as they were both working and it wouldn’t be fair. You will also have noticed amongst our topics that we have a Women Entrepreneurs section which I hope you will find useful. regards, Mal.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Improve E-mail: Avoid the Quicksand

Why Use an Advertising Agency

African Technology Development

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.