The Young Women Leadership Program

Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders in Tanzania

Our Projects

In Tanzania, women constitute nearly half of the population and a substantial share of the labor force, yet they occupy less than one-third of senior management roles and an even smaller proportion of top executive positions. The majority of women remain concentrated in informal and low-income sectors, limiting their progression into formal leadership pipelines. At the same time, deeply rooted gender norms, disproportionate unpaid care responsibilities, and limited access to resources such as finance, networks, and mentorship continue to constrain women’s leadership trajectories.

About the program

The Young Women Leadership Program (YWLP) is an innovative initiative by CARE Tanzania in partnership with the Mwanamke Initiatives Foundation (MIF). It addresses the critical leadership gap for young women in Tanzania by providing tailored support to emerging leaders who often face barriers in accessing networks, resources, and senior opportunities.

The program started as a 12-month pilot with 12 participants, successfully testing a model focused on practical leadership development. It has since scaled to a full cohort of 50 young women (plus 20 dedicated mentors) from across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar. Participants are primarily from women-led or women-centered organizations, government institutions, and community work. The program emphasizes mentorship, skills building, executive presence, partnership development, and resource mobilization—preparing participants to influence decision-making at higher levels.

 

Voices from the Ladies

How we do it

  • Mentorship — Each participant is paired with an experienced mentor for personalized guidance, networking, and professional support (20 mentors supported the first cohort).
  • Leadership Training — Comprehensive curriculum covering influence, communication, strategic thinking, and leadership branding.
  • Hands-on Projects — Participants design and implement real-world initiatives, with top projects receiving seed funding.
  • Peer Learning & Networking — Group sessions, workshops, and events to build community and resilience.
  • Alumni Support — Ongoing engagement for graduates to sustain impact and mentor future cohorts.
  • Seed capital to support their projects / ideas.

 

View the participants

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Who is it for?

  • Young women aged 20–35.
  • Emerging or active leaders in women-led/women-focused organizations, government, or community initiatives.
  • Ambitious individuals facing systemic barriers but ready to step into senior leadership roles.
  • Diverse representatives from across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

 

Moments

Documentary

Voices from Mentees and Mentors

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