Water security is vital for farmers to grow food year-round, strengthening food security and resilience to climate change. When Salume first met her teacher, Agricultural Officer Siti Makame, two years ago, she had only a small garden, no personal income, and her family ate vegetables just once or twice a week. Like many rural Tanzanian women, she lacked access to land, education, or capital, while carrying the burden of providing food, water, and energy for her household.
Climate change intensifies these challenges, often affecting women disproportionately due to their reliance on natural resources and systemic gender inequality. Tanzania ranks 129th on the UN Gender Inequality Index. Of the 84% of women who work, only 58% are paid—and many have little control over their earnings. Addressing climate adaptation must go hand in hand with addressing these inequities.
Siti, Pemba Island’s first certified permaculture practitioner, trains hundreds of women each year in climate-resilient agriculture. Her mentorship helps women improve yields, diversify crops, and increase independence—50% of women in Community Forests Pemba programs fully control their income, far above the national average.
As a result, Salume’s garden flourished, boosting her family’s nutrition and income. She expanded with her sisters to a farm plot, secured a loan for a well and pump, and added poultry, with dreams of starting a fishpond.
Empowering women like Salume and Siti has ripple effects: healthier families, stronger communities, and greater climate resilience. To meet global goals and combat poverty, we must continue investing in women’s knowledge, resources, and leadership.
[1] Climate Governance and Development Case Study: Tanzania. Dr. Riziki Shemdoe. (pp.15- 16).
[2] United Nations Development Program: Human Development Reports. 2016. Table 5: Gender Inequality Index.
[3] National Bureau of Statistics, Tanzania 2016.
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Post Script: Brinkman is a proud supporter of Community Forest International.
