LIWOPAC KEY STRENGTH

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)