Building confidence and representation

“Growing up, the absence of women like us in leadership roles made it seem impossible,” Sarwath said. UN Women reported that its project had worked with local authorities and Tusonge to establish the group in 2023. Training covered entrepreneurship, gender and the participation of women with disabilities in decision-making.

A local organisation’s role

Tusonge identifies participation in decisions and access to economic, political and social opportunities as central to its disability work. In the Igo partnership, these aims were connected to practical skills and collective organising. UN Women also reported that Arusha had registered more than 40 groups of women entrepreneurs with disabilities in a database intended to improve access to government loans. [2]

Making women visible in data

A separate Women Count brief proposed a survey of women with disabilities across six regions to inform services and policy. The May account also reported budgeting directives in Lindi to increase allocations for women, including women with disabilities, for 2024/25. [3][1]