Amanze Chinonye
As Tanzania faces worsening droughts and floods, women and youth groups are stepping into leadership roles to close gaps left by national climate policies.
In Shinyanga, 26-year-old Edina Evodius, once dismissed in village assemblies as “too young” and “too female,” now leads tree-planting campaigns and environmental education drives. Trained by the NGO Youth and Women Emancipation (YAWE), she also advocates for youth participation in local governance.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHer story reflects a wider trend. With 77 per cent of Tanzanians under 35, and women providing 80 per cent of the country’s food supply, exclusion from climate policy threatens resilience. Tanzania ranks 147th of 187 countries on the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative index, and experts say its dependence on rain-fed agriculture leaves millions vulnerable to erratic weather.
READ ALSO: Agro-processing Cuts Food Waste, Raises Incomes As Africa Fights Hunger
Nestlé Nigeria Trains 100 Plastic Waste Workers For Sustainable Future
Civil society organisations are filling the void. The Environmental Conservation Community of Tanzania (ECCT) trains “Eco Warriors” who recycle textile waste into sustainable fashion and equips young women through its She Leads Green programme. Climate Hub Tanzania integrates indigenous Maasai knowledge with advocacy, while YAWE prepares young leaders for governance roles.
“The majority of our population is under 30. Everything we do is grounded in the understanding that youth are not a side note they are the centre of our climate future,” said ECCT founder Lucky Michael.
Still, systemic barriers persist. Limited funding, restrictive gender norms, and weak policy structures continue to exclude women and youth. “What we need are national-level youth funding streams and policies that formally recognise youth- and women-led initiatives as critical to climate governance,” said Laurel Kivuyo, co-founder of Climate Hub Tanzania.
Observers say the stakes are high. Without systemic support, grassroots efforts may stall, leaving millions vulnerable to worsening climate shocks. But with women and youth already driving innovation from urban gardens to climate-smart farming Tanzania’s resilience may depend less on top-down policy and more on those building solutions from the ground up.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
