Tanzania has taken an important step toward strengthening women’s leadership in peace building and security through the establishment of the Tanzania Women, Peace and Security (TWPS) Coalition, the first national coalition dedicated to advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in the country. The initiative marks a significant milestone in strengthening national coordination and collective action to promote women’s meaningful participation in peace and security processes. The Coalition brings together leaders from civil society organizations, policy institutions, international partners, and advocacy platforms committed to advancing gender equality, inclusive governance, and sustainable peace. By creating a collaborative platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and coordinated advocacy, the Coalition seeks to strengthen the role of women as leaders, mediators, and agents of peace across Tanzania. The TWPS Coalition was co-founded by Global Impact Transformation (GIT) and the Imara Leadership Initiative (ILI), which currently serve as Co-Chairs of the initiative. The Coalition is currently strengthening its institutional structures and engagement mechanisms in preparation for its official national launch, which will further expand partnerships and membership across the country. The establishment of this coalition represents an important step in building a coordinated national platform capable of strengthening advocacy, partnerships, and policy engagement around the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Tanzania.
Strengthening Collective Leadership and Coordination for the Women, Peace and Security Agenda
By Communication team
The Women, Peace and Security agenda is anchored in United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and subsequent resolutions that recognize the critical role of women in conflict prevention, peace building, mediation, and post-conflict recovery. These resolutions call for increased participation of women in decision-making processes related to peace and security and emphasize the importance of protecting women’s rights in conflict and post-conflict settings.
Over the past two decades, Women, Peace and Security coalitions and networks have emerged globally as important mechanisms for strengthening collaboration among civil society organizations, supporting the implementation of national commitments, and promoting accountability for gender-responsive peace and security policies. Across Africa and other regions, such coalitions serve as platforms to promote women’s leadership in peace and security decision-making, strengthen coordination among civil society organizations working on WPS, support the implementation of National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security, amplify grassroots women’s voices in policy dialogue and advocacy, and foster collaboration between civil society, governments, and international partners.
The establishment of the Tanzania Women, Peace and Security Coalition aligns Tanzania with this growing global movement aimed at strengthening collective action to advance gender equality, sustainable peace, and inclusive governance.
Coalition Leadership Structure
To guide the development and strategic direction of the Coalition, a leadership structure composed of Co-Chairs, a Steering Committee, and a Secretariat has been established. This structure will ensure effective coordination, strategic leadership, and strong engagement with national, regional, and international stakeholders.
Co-Chairs:
The Coalition is led by four Co-Chairs who bring extensive experience in peace building, gender equality, and policy advocacy:
- Martha Nghambi – Founder, Global Impact Transformation
- Petrider Paul – Representative, African Union Fem Wise Africa
- Catherine Kapilima – Women, Peace and Security Specialist
- Dr. Tatu Mkiwa Nyange – Women, Peace and Security Specialist
Together, the Co-Chairs provide strategic leadership and guidance to ensure that the Coalition effectively contributes to advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda in Tanzania.
Steering Committee:
The Steering Committee brings together leaders from civil society organizations, regional institutions, diplomacy, and policy platforms:
- Sylvia Mohamed Mkomwa – Country Lead, Global Impact Transformation
- Dr. Isabel Moses Warioba – Partnerships and Child Protection Advisor, African Union Commission
- Aneth Gerana Isaya – Executive Director, Furaha ya Wanawake Viziwi Tanzania (FUWAVITA)
- Dr. Gladness Munuo – Executive Director, Crisis Resolving Center
- Jacqueline Kweka – Women in Mining Expert
- Dr. Anna Kulaya – Executive Director, WiLDAF Tanzania
- Chikulupi Kasaka – Senior Policy Officer, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Tanzania
- Hon. Fatma Toufiq – Former Member of Parliament, Tanzania
- Munira Surve – Communications and Events Officer, Tanzania Private Sector Foundation
- Joyce Mdachi – Executive Director, Global Religion for Children Foundation
- Kanen Mushi – Executive Director, Women in Diplomacy – Tanzania
The Steering Committee will guide the Coalition’s strategic priorities, strengthen engagement with stakeholders, and contribute to advancing coordinated advocacy and programming on women’s peace and security.
Secretariat:
The Secretariat provides coordination and operational support for the Coalition’s activities:
- Humphrey E. Ottaru – Coordinator, Global Impact Transformation
- Sarah Masuma – Coordinator, Imara Leadership Initiative
- Tamara Bertha – Programmes Specialist, Imara Leadership Initiative
The Secretariat will facilitate coordination among members, support communication and knowledge exchange, and strengthen partnerships with national, regional, and global stakeholders.
Closing the Leadership Gap: Strengthening Women’s Participation in Peace and Security
Across Tanzania, women continue to serve as frontline peace builders within families, communities, and local institutions. As mediators, community leaders, civil society advocates, and champions of social cohesion, women contribute significantly to conflict prevention, reconciliation, and the promotion of inclusive development. Their leadership is often visible at the grassroots level where they play essential roles in promoting dialogue, supporting community resilience, and addressing social tensions.
Despite these contributions, women remain underrepresented in formal peace and security decision-making processes, including policy platforms, negotiation spaces, and national governance structures. This gap limits the ability of peace building initiatives to fully benefit from the knowledge, experience, and perspectives that women bring to conflict prevention and sustainable peace efforts.
The Tanzania Women, Peace and Security Coalition seeks to address this challenge by strengthening collaboration among organizations working to advance gender equality, peace building, and inclusive governance. By creating a coordinated platform for dialogue, joint advocacy, and strategic engagement, the Coalition aims to elevate women’s voices in national policy processes and expand opportunities for women’s leadership in peace and security institutions. Through collective action, the Coalition will support policy engagement, strengthen partnerships among civil society and institutional actors, and promote gender-responsive approaches that recognize women as essential contributors to sustainable peace and national stability.
Looking Ahead
As preparations continue toward the Coalition’s official launch, the Tanzania Women, Peace and Security Coalition is expected to serve as an important national platform for dialogue, collaboration, and policy engagement.
By bringing together experienced leaders, institutions, and advocates, the Coalition aims to strengthen the visibility and influence of women in peace and security processes while contributing to the broader goal of building peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies.
Global Impact Transformation and the Imara Leadership Initiative remain committed to supporting the development of this coalition and advancing partnerships that strengthen women’s leadership in shaping the future of peace and security in Tanzania.
For partnership and collaboration inquiries, please contact:
info@globalimpacttransformation.org or wpscoalitiontanzania@gmail.com