2.2: Internal
Capacity of LIWOPAC
2.2.1
Key Strengths of LIWOPAC
Members
of LIWOPAC
LIWOPAC
is endowed with members with different hence complementary competencies and
professionalism, for instance it has members who are professional
Administrators, educationalists, Community workers, public nurse, Nurse
psychiatric, Anesthetist, accountant, and
sociologists to mention but a
few. Most of them have had experience of working at grassroots level as
community development workers, social workers and/or researchers hence they are
also skilled in participatory approaches to development and have excellent
lobbying and advocacy skills. Their knowledge and experience coupled with their
dedication to empowerment of the disadvantaged groups at grassroots level is an
asset hence is a key factor towards the achievement of LIWOPAC’s mission.
LIWOPAC’s
members are committed to the growth of the organization as exemplified by their
willingness to work on voluntary basis.
Government
Recognition
LIWOPAC
enjoys good relationship with government authorities especially at local
government level in the districts where LIWOPAC has had an opportunity to
operate. LIWOPAC’s relationship with community members has been very good with
mutual learning from both parties.
Networking
with Other Organizations /Networks,
LIWOPAC
is an active member of likeminded organizations such as WLAC, WILDAF, PANITA, TACOSODE, TLS,TAPANET,LINGONET,
SAHRINGON, and has been participating actively in gender equality interventions,
combat against gender based violence, support widows’ Right to Inherit
Matrimonial Property, and in the discussions currently going on regarding our new
National Constitution.
2.2.2 LIWOPAC Weaknesses
Institutional
Capacity
LIWOPAC
is an organization which is still young and growing organically since
establishment in 2001. Presently the organization is weak in terms of internal
capacity, in the sense that it does not have adequate employed staff to meet
the growing demands Therefore, the activities of the organization are
implemented by the leadership of the organization, spearheaded by the National
Coordinator and Board Chairperson. This is not a healthy situation for LIWOPAC
and that is why, through this strategic plan document, the organization intends
to employ some staff.
In
other words for LIWOPAC to achieve the
objectives stated in this Strategic Plan there is a need to employ at least 3
full time qualified personnel and to acquire own office premises and office facilities. Likewise LIWOPAC would have to be more
proactive in publicizing and in fundraising for the implementation of its
programmes.
2.2.3
LIWOPAC Opportunities
Congruence
with global and national policies
At
global level LIWOPACs’ programme objectives are in line with the CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women, is a landmark international agreement that
affirms principles of fundamental human rights and equality for women around
the world. This
international treaty offers countries a practical blueprint to achieve progress
for women and girls by calling on each ratifying country to overcome barriers
of discrimination and Beijing platform for action goals.
In
addition at national level they are also in line with the governments policies
and strategies .e.g Tanzania vision 2025, The law of Marriage Act 1971, The
1999 land Act, the inheritance law in Tanzania sentences women to dependence,
poverty, and subordination; National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of
Poverty (NSGRP-MKUKUTA) 2005-2010; child law in Tanzania; National HIV/AIDS policy;
hence there is room for developing synergies between the different
interventions.
Recognition
of the Role of NGOs
LIWOPAC
will take advantage of the fact that the government has acknowledged the role
of NGOs in supporting pro poor initiatives and will play an active part in
fostering government private sector / civil society partnerships
2.2.4
Threats /Challenges
Drought
and other adverse weather conditions
Successful
implementation of some programme objectives e.g. good nutritional status is
partially dependent on increased food security which in turn is dependent on
good weather conditions e.g. adequate rainfall. Considering that agricultural activities in
LIWOPACs area of operation are rain-fed, absence of adequate rain can have
devastating effects on outcomes. To offset this dependency, efforts will be
made to encourage target groups to engage in off-farm income generating
activities as well.
Traditional
Practices, Beliefs and Attitudes
Traditional
practices e.g. beliefs in witchcraft may result in target groups e.g. pregnant
women and mothers to rely on the services of witchdoctors rather than attend clinics regularly and seek and comply to the advice given by
qualified medical personnel. Sensitization programmes will need to address this
issue using animation approach where key influential people in the community
will play a role in the sensitization exercise.
2.3:
Analysis of the external context of LIWOPAC
The external environment covers the description of
macro and micro issues that are external to LIWOPAC but have implications on
its core functions.
Human rights situation analysis
A Human rights based approach promotes social
transformation by empowering people to exercise their “voice” and “agency” to
influence the processes of change. It strengthens democratic governance by
supporting the state to identify and fulfill its responsibilities to all under
its jurisdiction. And it gives substance to universal ethics by translating the
principles of international declarations and conventions into entitlements and
concrete action.
The human rights based approach thus provides both
a vision of what development should strive to achieve and a set of tools and
essential references. Activating the tools and references will lead to better
analysis and more strategic interventions to enhanced ownership by the people,
and will forge automatic partnerships between the UN, government and civil
society. Development interventions will moreover become more sustainable,
through the explicit emphasis on accountability in decision making and
participation.
UNDP (2006) ‘Applying a Right Based Approach to Development Cooperation
and Programming: A UNDP Capacity Development Resource.’
In a human rights based approach, human rights
determine the relationship between individuals and groups with valid claims
(rights holders) and State and non State actors with co-relative obligations
(duty bearers). Human rights based approach identifies rights holders and their
entitlements and corresponding duty bearers and their obligations and works
towards strengthening the capacities of rights holders to make their claims,
and of duty bearers to meet their obligations
The Human Rights Based Approach to Development Cooperation: Towards a
Common Understanding Among UN Agencies (Stamford
Principles)
Marriage and Family
Men
and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or
religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to
equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution. Marriage
shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending
spouses. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is
entitled to protection by society and the State.
Economic
Growth
According
to Poverty and Human Development Report (PHDR) 2007, National growth
strategies, including the Poverty Reduction Strategy (2000-2004) and MKUKUTA
have contributed to the overall growth path, yet growth performance has been
slightly slower and more limited than is needed to substantially reduce
poverty. To accelerate and sustain growth with strong impact upon poverty and
employment, a more focused growth strategy is necessary. Despite perceived
gains in economic growth, people are of the opinion that these gains have not
impacted on their quality of life.
Governance
and Accountability
With
regards to governance issues, improvements are reported in some areas including
gender equity in the civil service and
compliance with public procurement regulations, but the number of cases
reported of official corruption nationally has increased significantly.
According
to Voice of the People (VoP) Survey 2007 Police, Legal system and Health sectors
are leading in corruption.
Many
people especially women do not understand their legal rights. In the health
services e.g. very few people are aware of the policy that children and adults
over 60 years of age are eligible for free health care in government health
facilities.
HIV
and AIDS
The
prevalence and incidence of HIV and AIDS is far higher than elsewhere for a
variety of reasons: the migratory nature of the trade where fishermen follow
the fish, leaving spouses behind and often engaging in temporary sexual
relationships, the high-risk nature of the trade, readily available cash and a
lack of health care facilities.
Reduction
of maternal, newborn and child deaths is a high priority for all, given the
persistently high maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality rates
over the past two decades in African countries, Tanzania included. It is one of the
major concerns addressed by various global and national commitments, as
reflected in the targets of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Tanzania
Vision 2025, the National Strategy for Growth and Reduction of Poverty
(NSGRP-MKUKUTA), and the Primary Health Services Development Program
(PHSDP-MMAM), among others.
Maternal
deaths are caused by factors attributable to pregnancy, childbirth and poor
quality of health services. The following statistical data is evidence to this
contention. Although the most recent Demographic Health Survey (TDHS, 2004/5)
has shown decline in under-five and infant mortality by 24% and 31%
respectively to 112 and 68 per 1,000 live births, the infant and under-five
mortality rates in Tanzania
are still unacceptably high. Every year about 154,000 children die before
reaching their fifth birthday. In addition, as expected, the mortality rates
are highest in the lowest, second and middle wealth quintiles (137, 156 and
147, respectively) as compared to the highest wealth quintile
Although
under-fives constitute about 16% of the population, they account for 50% of the
total mortality burden for all ages. Most of these deaths are due to
preventable diseases; Malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea. HIV/AIDS and neonatal
conditions account for over 80% of deaths. Malnutrition is a contributory
factor to about fifty percent of all deaths.
The
under-five mortality rate for children whose mothers were less than 20 years of
age when they gave birth is 157/1,000, versus 120/1,000 for children whose
mothers were in their twenties.
Prevention
and management
Lack
of basic human rights contributes to 60% percent of abuse to marginalized women
in Tanzania.
Use of paralegal services contributes to 40 percent reduction of incidence of
women and children seeking legal aid. Only 35% of women and children in Tanzania
have access to legal services and most of them are in urban areas.
Nutrition
Nutrition
indicators for under-fives have shown some improvement over the years but
under-nutrition is still widely prevalent in Tanzania. Stunting, underweight
status and wasting among children aged 0-59 months have reduced from 44%, 29%
and 5% in 1999 to 38%, 22% and 3% respectively 34. Anemia is also highly
prevalent among under-fives with 72% of all 6-59 months children being anemic.
The main causes of anemia are nutritional deficiency, intestinal worms and
malaria.
Social
Protection for the Vulnerable Groups
Welfare assistance for the most vulnerable groups in
Tanzania
remains patchy, dependent mainly on the goodwill of individuals and development
aid from overseas. However, work commenced in 2007 on the development of
national framework for social protection. The framework aims to enhance the
coordination of programmes addressing the needs of the most vulnerable groups
and to prioritize the use of available resources. In addition more concerted
efforts by local government authorities,
health and education services are needed to provide due exemptions of e.g.
treatment fees for patients over 60 years of age, and to ensure the enrolment
and participation of disabled and orphaned children in schools. (PHDR 2007)
