SASA Foundation About Us

Our Motivation & Principles

The Tanzanian Context & Our Programs

The challenges faced by women and girls in East Africa and Tanzania are well-documented. Studies such as “The State of the World’s Children 2007; The Double Dividend of Gender Equality, New York, 2006” as well as the Beijing +20 Report by CSOs and the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania have all highlighted the gender disparities that exist in the region. These disparities are evident in all areas of life, from education and employment to health and political participation.

The SASA Foundation is motivated by the understanding that women lack behind in particular developmental areas. These include:

Patriarchal systems that limit women’s mobility, decision-making power, and economic opportunities.
Care work burdens disproportionately fall on women (single mothers, women in patriarchal family dynamics and grandmothers), preventing them from participating fully in the workforce.
Lack of access to quality information about their rights, health, and economic opportunities.
Insufficient skills in leadership and entrepreneurship.
Unequal access and ownership of land and other productive resources.
Limited knowledge about climate change and environmental conditions.
Poor technical capacity to participate in the workforce.
Reduced access to quality education (life and vocational skills).

These factors exacerbate women’s deprivation, stagnate self-determination, and limit socio-economic progress. The SASA Foundation is committed to addressing these challenges by empowering women and girls to transform socio-economic systems in their families and communities. Our programs are based on the following principles:

Women’s empowerment is child empowerment. When mothers are empowered, they are better able to provide for their children’s physical and emotional needs.
Girls’ and boys’ empowerment is women’s empowerment. By investing in the education and health of children, we are laying the foundation for a more just and equitable future.
Peace is essential for development. When women and children are safe and secure, they can reach their full potential.
Access to information is power. By providing women and children with the information they need, we are empowering them to make informed decisions about their lives.
Understanding one’s rights is essential for self-determination. When women and children know their rights, they are better able to demand respect and equality.
Leadership is essential for change. By empowering women to lead, we are creating a more just and equitable society.

The SASA Foundation is working to create a world where all women and girls have the opportunity to reach their full potential. We believe that when women are empowered, they can transform their families, communities, and society at large.

We are delighted to introduce our dedicated and hardworking team, which plays a crucial role in making SASA thrive and empowering women to realise their full potential.