Who We Are 

MikonoYetu means “Joining hands Together” in Kiswahili the national language of Tanzania. MikonoYetu believes that change cannot be brought about by one person or an organization. Instead, it is required we join hands together to create sustainable change in the lives of women. 

In Tanzania, MikonoYetu is a women-led non-governmental organization based in Mwanza. It was registered in 2011 as a non-profit organization under the Company Ordinance. Due to the change in the laws, on August 10th, 2019, MikonoYetu was registered as a certified non-governmental organization: No. 00NGO/R2/OOO359. 

Seven founding members established MikonoYetu. MikonoYetu’s establishment arose from our own working experiences while implementing a project to curb domestic violence through economic empowerment. Our lived experience and evidence-based research reveal that when women are economically empowered, they have more options and power to step out of violence and improve their livelihood and that of their children. Livelihood is defined as using one’s personal and material assets to make a living in a manner that secures the necessities of life comfortably without undermining the natural environment’s resource base.  

MikonoYetu applies a gender equality approach to ownership of productive resources, such as land, livestock, capital, and technology. Gender equality exists where women and men have equal access to opportunities and services, equal control over resources, and an equal say in decisions at all levels. Evidence demonstrates that where gender equality is greater, there is higher economic growth and a better quality of life for all. 

What We Do  

MikonoYetu exists to ensure gender equality in the ownership of productive resources within Tanzanian communities. 

Our mission is to economically empower women and girls so that they can own and control productive resources more profitably and productively, while at the same time, mitigating the negative impact of climate change.  

In order to accomplish this mission, MikonoYetu’s initiative involves working in four intersecting thematic areas, cohesive with national and international goals.  These four themes include Economic Empowerment, Girls’ Empowerment, Women and the Environment, and Gender-based Violence

Key Thematic Targets  

Our targets are tuned in line with National Strategies, Beijing Platform of Actions and Global Goals. 

Economic Empowerment 

  • Reduce the number of women and girls living on less than $1.25 a day. 
  • Increase the number of women and girls who own and control productive resources. 
  • Increase the number of women and girls accessing vocational skills.  
  • Reduce the unemployment rates of youth, particularly girls. 
  • Improve women and girls’ abilities to access financial services. 

Girl’s Empowerment 

  • Support girls to become confident to reach their potential. 
  • Support girls to participate in social, economic and political life. 
  • Strengthen the role of the family in improving the status of adolescent girls. 
  • Eliminate negative cultural attitudes and practices against girls. 
  • Strengthen capacities of girls to access ICT. 
  • Increase the number of girls in descent work. 

Women and the Environment 

  • Strengthen the capacities of women and girls to manage natural resources. 
  • Increase the number of environmentally friendly projects run by women. 
  • Increase the number of women and girls using new technology. 
  • Increase awareness among communities of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction.
  • Contribute to the reduction of deforestation by planting more trees. 

  

Gender-based Violence 

  • Contribute to ending all forms of Violence Against Women and girls. 
  • Reduce the number of women and men who believe VAW is justifiable.
  • Increase awareness of the link between VAW and HIV/AIDS. 

 

Governance 

MikonoYetu is governed by a board of directors of 5 people (4 women and one man). The board oversees the values of the organization and sets the overall strategy and direction. The board of directors also monitors the performance of interventions and their management, it is additionally charged with the responsibility of appointing the Executive Director. 

Day-to-day activities according to our organization structure are carried out by the MikonoYetu management team.