BAGAMOYO: THE Tanzania Widows Association (CCWWT) has urged the government and development stakeholders to support them by providing capital and working tools to help them achieve economic independence and improve their living standards in the country.
The appeal was made during a general meeting in the Coast Region that brought together widows from more than 18 regions nationwide.
At the meeting, the association received a donation of 200 beehives from the Lalji Foundation of Dar es Salaam, which aimed at enabling widows to engage in beekeeping as a source of income.
The Bagamoyo Head of Community Development, Zuena Ongele, said the government has acknowledged the challenges facing widows, including denial of inheritance rights, lack of business capital, and absence of offices from ward to regional levels.
She noted that efforts are underway to address these challenges in collaboration with various stakeholders.
CCWWT Chairperson Rabia Moyo said the meeting aimed to assess the association’s achievements and challenges while providing education on legal, health, psychological, and economic issues to empower widows toward self-reliance. She added that the association will continue working with the government and other institutions to improve widows’ welfare nationwide.
Project Coordinator from Lalji Foundation, Judith Katano, said the 200 beehives will be distributed across different regions to reach more widows and help them produce honey and other bee-related products. She added that the project will include training in modern beekeeping practices to ensure beneficiaries achieve the expected productivity.
Beekeeping trainer, Vincent Mnaya from the Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) encouraged citizens, especially youth, to seize opportunities in beekeeping, noting it is a profitable venture that can be undertaken at relatively low cost if well managed.
Meanwhile, CCWWT Secretary General Sabrina Tenganamba urged couples to value one another and live with love while both partners are alive, noting that a lack of proper family preparation often leads to difficulties for women when they become widows.