CLEAR-AA Supports Gender Equality and Social Inclusion in Planning and Budgeting in Tanzania
- CLEAR-AA
From 28–31 July 2025, planning and budgeting officers from across Tanzania participated in a training on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) planning and budgeting. The initiative was designed to build capacity for embedding inclusive development principles into government planning and budgeting processes.
This training built on a consultative workshop held in November 2024 in Dodoma, co-convened by the National Planning Commission of Tanzania, the Prime Minister’s Office – Parliament, Policy and Coordination, and supported by the Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results for Anglophone Africa (CLEAR-AA), an implementing partner of the Global Evaluation Initiative (GEI). That workshop identified key capacity gaps in applying GESI principles to planning and budgeting, laying the foundation for this competency-based training. The 2025 training was made possible with funding support from the Ford Foundation.
A participatory learning experience
More than 30 participants engaged in interactive and practical learning. Sessions combined pre-assessments, consultant-led presentations, group exercises, and scenario-based budgeting. The agenda emphasized critical analysis of existing policies and their inclusivity, while offering tools to apply GESI principles in planning processes.
Participants came from both national and district-level government institutions, alongside civil society representatives. Facilitators, including regional experts, shared comparative insights from other countries. While Swahili was the main language of instruction, all training materials were provided in English to maximize accessibility.
“The training was significant for Tanzania,” said Dr. Hlanganani Mnguni, a researcher, CLEAR-AA. “It equipped policy makers and practitioners with the skills to integrate gender equality and social inclusion into national and local planning, and budgeting processes, ensuring that resources are allocated fairly and development benefits reach all groups, including the marginalized populations.”
Key observations
- Strong female participation: Women officers were well represented and actively engaged throughout the training, reflecting Tanzania’s commitment to gender inclusion in governance.
- Focus on equity: Discussions highlighted the need to move beyond equality - providing the same inputs for all - toward equity, ensuring fair outcomes that address geographic and socio-economic disparities.
- Proactive engagement: Participants asked critical questions and proposed practical solutions for more inclusive planning and budgeting practices.
Looking ahead
Feedback from participants stressed the importance of continued forums to deepen GESI integration. Some recommended holding separate sessions for district-level and national-level staff to encourage more open dialogue. While formal follow-up sessions have not yet been confirmed, the strong appetite for further training demonstrates the relevance of GESI-focused capacity building in Tanzania.
By strengthening the capacity of planning and budgeting officers, this initiative marks an important step toward embedding GESI principles in government processes—ensuring that Tanzania’s development agenda responds more effectively to the needs of all citizens.