Elections are fundamental to the democratic process, allowing citizens to choose their representatives and influence governance. While elections are widespread globally, many countries struggle with issues of electoral fraud and irregularities, undermining the integrity of their democratic processes. These challenges are compounded for vulnerable groups such as women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWDs), who face significant barriers to political participation. These obstacles range from societal discrimination and lack of access to resources to direct mistreatment and exclusion during electoral processes. Ensuring fair, inclusive, and transparent elections is crucial for the health of any democracy, and election observation plays a vital role in achieving this goal.
Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in
Tanzania face systemic challenges in accessing public infrastructure,
education, and social services, compounded by the lack of reliable data to
inform inclusive policies. The Advancing Accessibility, Education, and Data
Systems for Persons with Disabilities in Tanzania, seeks to address these
challenges holistically. By enhancing accessibility, promoting disability-inclusive
education, and establishing robust data systems, the project aims to create a
more equitable and inclusive society. Collaboration with government agencies,
civil society organizations, and development partners will be central to achieving
these goals.
Situation
We have been experiencing issues such as vote tampering, biased administration, and unfair practices that compromise the integrity of elections.
Barriers to Participation: Women: Often face gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence, both as candidates and voters. Youth: Encounter age-related biases, lack of opportunities, and insufficient civic education, limiting their engagement in the electoral process Persons with Disabilities (PWDs): Struggle with accessibility issues, discrimination, and lack of accommodations necessary for their active participation.
Reported Irregularities: Instances of mistreatment and exclusion of female candidates, youth, and PWDs are prevalent, diminishing their role in the democratic process.
Goal
To foster an inclusive and equitable
environment for persons with disabilities by enhancing accessibility,
education, and data-driven decision-making in Tanzania.
Objective 1: Promote Accessibility
and Inclusive Education
Advocate for and enforce
accessibility standards in public infrastructure, transport, and digital
platforms while increasing enrollment and retention rates of children with
disabilities by equipping schools with assistive devices, training teachers,
and fostering accessible learning environments.
Objective 2: Strengthen
Evidence-Based Decision-Making and Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration
Develop and operationalize a comprehensive data framework to collect, analyze,
and utilize disaggregated data on persons with disabilities, while fostering
collaboration among government agencies, CSOs, and development partners to
implement inclusive policies and programs effectively.
Village meeting
Participation
Transparency
We Ensure transparency at all levels of our work towards serving the community.
Professionalism
We Provide creative expertise and strong commitment to the community.
Accountability
We are accountable and act according to the values we wish to promote.