Access to finance, markets, education and leadership opportunities were among the issues discussed at the Third Women in Cooperatives Forum, coordinated by TFC in Dodoma. The forum aimed to strengthen women’s participation in cooperatives and expand their economic opportunities.
The Tanzania Federation of Cooperatives (TFC) coordinated the Third Women in Cooperatives Forum, held on 6 August 2026 at the John Malecela Grounds in Nzuguni, Dodoma, alongside the Nanenane Agricultural Exhibition.
The forum brought together women in cooperatives to discuss the challenges they face, share experiences and identify opportunities to grow their economic activities through cooperatives.
Speaking at the forum, TFC’s Executive Director outlined the Federation’s role in building women’s capacity and connecting them with financing and market opportunities. He also encouraged participants to use the forum to strengthen collaboration and promote development, beginning at the family level.
To strengthen the forum’s governance and operations, participants reviewed the draft operating guidelines and proposed improvements. They agreed that the draft should be circulated to women leaders for further input before submission to the relevant authorities for subsequent action.
Participants highlighted the need for education and training, affordable loans, agricultural inputs, product value addition and greater participation in decision-making. They proposed a dedicated programme to increase women’s participation in cooperatives and improve their access to financial services.
The forum’s resolutions included allocating funds in cooperative budgets to support women’s participation in forums, strengthening mobilisation through zonal leaders and producing video documentaries featuring successful women to provide practical learning opportunities. Participants also emphasised the need to report on the implementation of resolutions at each forum.
The forum was officially opened by Advocate Amon Mpanju, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups. He called for collaboration between TFC and the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC) to increase women’s participation in cooperatives. He also emphasised financial education and efforts to encourage women to take advantage of investment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The forum brought together women in cooperatives to discuss the challenges they face, share experiences and identify opportunities to grow their economic activities through cooperatives.
Speaking at the forum, TFC’s Executive Director outlined the Federation’s role in building women’s capacity and connecting them with financing and market opportunities. He also encouraged participants to use the forum to strengthen collaboration and promote development, beginning at the family level.
To strengthen the forum’s governance and operations, participants reviewed the draft operating guidelines and proposed improvements. They agreed that the draft should be circulated to women leaders for further input before submission to the relevant authorities for subsequent action.
Participants highlighted the need for education and training, affordable loans, agricultural inputs, product value addition and greater participation in decision-making. They proposed a dedicated programme to increase women’s participation in cooperatives and improve their access to financial services.
The forum’s resolutions included allocating funds in cooperative budgets to support women’s participation in forums, strengthening mobilisation through zonal leaders and producing video documentaries featuring successful women to provide practical learning opportunities. Participants also emphasised the need to report on the implementation of resolutions at each forum.
The forum was officially opened by Advocate Amon Mpanju, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups. He called for collaboration between TFC and the Tanzania Cooperative Development Commission (TCDC) to increase women’s participation in cooperatives. He also emphasised financial education and efforts to encourage women to take advantage of investment and entrepreneurship opportunities.