In the heart of Chamwino District, Dodoma, lives Joyce Chilowena, a 40-year-old wife and mother of three. Joyce spent most of her time in the fields, working alongside her husband and parents to grow sorghum, sunflower, and grand maize. Like most women in her village, Joyce was expected to focus on household chores, cooking, and caring for her children. However, she felt an increasing sense of dissatisfaction with the status quo, where women's voices were rarely heard in community discussions about farming, market prices, or village decisions – despite their pivotal role in agriculture and managing household economies.

The Challenge: Breaking Barriers

Joyce had felt a deep sense of injustice about the way things were. While the men gathered at the local tea stall to discuss matters of farming, market prices, and village decisions, the women were largely excluded from these conversations. Even though it was women who often worked the land, cared for the animals, and managed the household’s economy, their voices went unheard.

Empowerment through DWABI

In 2019, Joyce's aspirations found new direction through the Dodoma Women in Agriculture and Small Business Initiative (DWABI). Running from 2019 to 2024, DWABI was designed to dismantle the barriers holding women back in the Dodoma region. It supported women’s advancement through participatory involvement of women in agroecology practices, ensuring access to financial services and small business capacity building. The project aimed to empower women through strategies such as training in agriculture, small business establishment, financial literacy and access, with a focus on reducing poverty, enhancing food security, and promoting gender equality.

Joyce joined the Tupendane Group Chimwaga, established under DWABI. Through this platform, she gained knowledge about innovative agricultural techniques to boost crop yields and learned entrepreneurial skills to diversify income sources. Leveraging her passion for fashion and sewing, Joyce began training other women to design and create clothes, transforming her skills into a thriving business.

Leadership Emerges: Joyce’s Transformation

Joyce's journey took a significant turn when she was selected and trained as a Farmer-to-Farmer(F2F) facilitator. In this role, she established and led three farmer groups in Chimwaga and Igandu, sharing her expertise in sustainable farming practices and income diversification. This experience not only honed her leadership skills but also built her confidence.

Her leadership potential did not go unnoticed. When MVIKAM Apex – a federation of SAT Saving and Lending Groups – was formed, Joyce was elected as the assistant chairperson. The exposure and experience she gained were instrumental in opening new doors for her.

A Visionary Leader

Today, Joyce stands as the chairperson of Igandu village. She actively encourages women to pursue their dreams, trust their capabilities, and overcome conventional barriers. Recognizing the threats posed by climate change, Joyce advocates for the adoption of climate-resilient farming practices. She promotes the cultivation of drought-resistant crops and organizes training sessions on water conservation techniques and organic farming for women in her community.

Joyce's leadership has sparked change, inspiring other women to step into leadership roles and contribute more meaningfully to their communities. This transformation from a farmer’s wife to a community leader embodies the power of education, determination, and collective action. Her story shows, when women are empowered with the right tools and opportunities, they not only transform their own lives but also uplift communities.

‍“Being able to form, train, and manage groups of farmers helped me build trust within the community and improved my confidence. I also volunteered for various community services, such as road rehabilitation and maintaining cleanliness in public areas like dispensaries. As a result, the community placed their trust in me. I was appointed as the Chairperson of the Dispensary Board in Igandu and later as the Assistant Chairperson of MVIKAM Apex. Through these roles, many people witnessed my leadership skills and capabilities. Encouraged by this support, I decided to run for the position of Igandu Village Chairperson - and I won. I am truly grateful for the training and opportunities provided by SAT through the DWABI project, which empowered women, especially in rural areas where people still doubt women's capabilities.”

The DWABI project has been implemented by Sustainable Agriculture Tanzania and financed by Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and ICEP.

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