Protecting those in need in humanitarian and development work is complex and multifaceted. At its heart, protection is about safeguarding people and preventing, reducing, and responding to harm. Although protection is often associated with the risk of harm or abuse or with responding to violence or abuse after it has happened, this is only part of the picture. 

In humanitarian and development contexts, protection is about safeguarding people from threats that affect their safety, dignity, rights and wellbeing. These threats may include violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, exclusion, or other forms of harm that prevent people from living safely and with dignity. 

Responding to risk of harm is essential, but it is just one element of a much broader approach. Effective protection also involves preventing and anticipating potential harm, supporting recovery, and addressing the underlying causes that put people at risk. This article explores the four dimensions of protection and explains how they work together in practice. These dimensions can apply across different contexts, including conflict, displacement, natural disasters, poverty, exclusion and other situations where people may face increased vulnerability. 

Looking through a protection lens 

Protection is not a single activity or intervention. It is a way of working that helps humanitarian and development organisations recognise risks, reduce harm, and strengthen the conditions that enable people to live – or in certain cases to migrate or evacuate – safely. It means looking beyond the immediate task to understand whether someone may be at risk of violence, abuse, exploitation, neglect, or exclusion. 

Pamela Hajal, Humanitarian Assistance and Protection Expert at Dorcas, describes this as putting on a pair of ‘protection glasses’. With these glasses on, staff focus not only on delivering project activities. They are also trained to recognise protection risks and respond appropriately. 

Pamela explains:

‘For example, Dorcas Ukraine staff may be repairing damaged houses near the front line. They arrive at a home to replace broken windows and notice that the woman living there has visible bruising and a broken wrist. With your ‘protection glasses’ on, you wouldn’t just repair the windows and leave. You would recognise that she may need protection support and take the appropriate steps to assist her.’ 

This example illustrates how protection goes beyond delivering services. It is about recognising when people are at risk and ensuring they receive the support they need. To guide this work, Dorcas uses four interconnected dimensions of protection: preventive, responsive, promotive and remedial, and transformative protection. 

Preventive protection 

Preventive protection aims to reduce the likelihood of harm before it occurs. This means identifying risks, reducing people’s exposure to threats, and addressing the factors that make their circumstances more vulnerable. Prevention is about creating environments where people’s rights are respected and where violence, exploitation, abuse, and exclusion are less likely to occur. Rather than focusing only on preventing individual incidents, it also considers the wider conditions that influence people’s safety. 

For example, preventive protection can involve strengthening community awareness, social connections and access to support before harm occurs. This may include identifying people at risk of isolation or exclusion and creating opportunities for participation and support. 

Responsive protection 

Responsive protection focuses on stopping harm that is already happening or has recently occurred. It includes actions taken when people experience violence, abuse, exclusion or other protection violations. The priority is to support people to reach safety and access appropriate support as quickly as possible. This may include referrals to healthcare, legal assistance, psychosocial support or other specialised services. 

Responsive protection also includes supporting people who experience the psychological and social effects of crises. For example, due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, many Ukrainians have experienced increased anxiety and worsened psychological wellbeing. Nadiia is one of them. After her husband passed away and her grandson left to defend the country, she was overcome with fear and needed support. With the MHPSS support she received from Dorcas Ukraine, Nadiia was able to regain her sense of security. 

Although this is often the most visible aspect of protection work, it is only one part of a wider system that also includes prevention, recovery, and long-term change. 

Promotive protection 

Promotive and remedial protection focuses on supporting people to recover from harm and rebuild their lives. It addresses the consequences of past or ongoing violations by supporting individuals and communities through healthcare, psychosocial support and other essential services. 

This dimension recognises that protection does not end when the immediate danger has passed. Recovery also means restoring people’s wellbeing, relationships, dignity, and sense of safety. 

For example, Maria (78) lives in rural Tanzania and is solely responsible for caring for her seven-year-old granddaughter, Queenie. For years, they faced significant challenges. Since joining the Community Safety Net programme of Dorcas Tanzania, Maria has gained access to support that has strengthened her wellbeing, resilience and ability to care for her granddaughter. 

Through the programme, Maria received essential items, support from volunteers with household tasks, and opportunities to connect with other older people in her community. Taking part in activities at a local older people’s centre helped reduce isolation, strengthen social connections and restore her sense of belonging. Maria’s story illustrates how promotive and remedial protection supports people not only after harm has occurred, but also in rebuilding dignity, confidence and resilience. 

Transformative protection 

Transformative protection focuses on addressing the root causes of protection risks. Rather than responding to individual cases alone, it seeks to change the structural, social, and institutional factors that allow harm to continue. This may involve advocacy, changing harmful social norms, strengthening accountability mechanisms, and supporting systems that promote equal rights and reduce exclusion over the long term. 

Transformative protection therefore operates at the level of communities, institutions, and society as a whole. For example, advocating for stronger child protection legislation can reduce protection risks for future generations. 

How the four dimensions work together 

The four dimensions of protection are closely connected. They are not separate stages or a fixed sequence. In practice, several dimensions often come together within a single programme or intervention. 

For example, raising community awareness can help prevent future harm, enable earlier identification of protection risks, and contribute to longer-term changes in attitudes and behaviour. 

The examples of Nadiia and Maria show how protection can address different forms of harm and vulnerability. While Nadiia received responsive support after experiencing the effects of conflict and loss, Maria’s support focused on rebuilding wellbeing, dignity and inclusion. Both demonstrate that effective protection requires understanding people’s specific circumstances and responding in ways that address both immediate needs and longer-term wellbeing. 

Understanding protection in this way shifts the focus from individual activities to a coordinated system of action that addresses risks at different levels. Ultimately, effective protection depends on how these four dimensions reinforce one another. Together, they enable protection to address both immediate needs and long-term change, supporting individuals while also strengthening the systems and communities around them.

Maria (78) lives in rural Tanzania and is solely responsible for caring for her seven-year-old granddaughter, Queenie. For years, they faced significant challenges, including limited access to food, adequate clothing and the resources needed to maintain their home. Since joining Dorcas’ Community Safety Net programme, Maria has gained access to support that has strengthened her wellbeing, resilience and ability to care for her granddaughter.

Maria lives in an area where the dry climate contributes to food insecurity. Her eleven children and seventeen grandchildren live across the region, but Queenie is the grandchild who lives with her. This responsibility placed additional pressure on Maria, particularly given her limited resources. When a Dorcas staff member visited her village and assessed her situation, Maria was included in the programme.

Through the community safety net programme, Maria receives support that addresses both her immediate needs and longer-term wellbeing. She received essential items, including blankets, food, clothing and a mattress. Volunteers regularly visit her to support her with household tasks such as cleaning and laundry. Equally important is the regular social contact and personal attention she receives, helping to reduce isolation and strengthen her connection with the community.

Protection through inclusion, support and empowerment

Maria’s story is one example of how Dorcas supports people facing vulnerability to strengthen their wellbeing, resilience and ability to participate in their communities. Across both humanitarian and development contexts, Dorcas’ protection work focuses on addressing risks such as neglect, exclusion, abuse and discrimination, while promoting dignity, access to support and social inclusion. In Tanzania, older people may face specific vulnerabilities linked to poverty, loneliness, stigmatisation and limited access to support.

‘Protection is about creating a safe environment in which people can live with dignity, free from neglect, exclusion, abuse and discrimination,’ says Sjoerd Vos, Thematic Expert Social Empowerment and Protection at Dorcas. ‘By bringing older people together in groups and providing access to psychosocial support, life skills, income-generating activities and social safety nets, these projects strengthen their self-confidence, resilience and social position. In this way, we contribute to their protection and wellbeing, enabling them to participate actively in their communities and look to the future with greater confidence.’

As part of the programme, Maria was invited to attend activities at a local older people’s centre. Here, she meets other older people, participates in traditional dances, creates jewellery, shares her work with others and discusses experiences from her life. These activities strengthen social connections and provide opportunities for participation and mutual support.

Maria also participated in an organised outing with the group. ‘We visited a safari park. For the first time in my life, I saw giraffes, elephants and zebras up close. It was a day I’ll never forget.’

Strengthening livelihoods and community resilience

The programme also supports Maria in developing skills to strengthen her economic resilience. She learned how to grow vegetables, care for chickens and goats, and sell crops, eggs and milk to generate an income.

‘We have more food and a greater variety to eat because of the milk, eggs and vegetables. I feel much healthier.’

The programme also involves younger generations. Queenie participates in activities with other children, where they learn how they can support and care for their grandparents. She has seen the positive changes in her grandmother.

‘My grandmother smiles again and has so much more energy.’

Maria reflects on the difference the programme has made in her life. ‘Life used to be very hard, but now I feel hopeful again. The programme has given me support, friendships and opportunities to learn. I feel supported by my community and better able to face the future.’

Through its community safety net programme, Dorcas supports older people facing vulnerability by strengthening access to social support, practical assistance, skills development and community networks. This integrated approach contributes to the protection, dignity and resilience of older people.

Due to climate change, rainfall in Tanzania has become increasingly erratic. Last year in Chemba, there were fewer rains compared to the previous farming season. Despite these challenges, farmers participating in the PIP approach are showing resilience by embracing drought tolerant maize cultivars, early maturing seeds, and the cultivation of cassava and sorghum, as these are drought tolerant crops. 

But we know: the right seed must go hand in hand with the right technology. 

That is why Dorcas Tanzania introduced ZAI Pit technology to project participants, a innovation from Northern Burkina Faso designed to address low rainfall conditions. This method involves digging small pits that conserve moisture, store nutrients, and bring water closer to plant roots. From this, Dorcas Tanzania developed the PIP draft, which applies the same principle but uses equal sized pits arranged in a zig zag pattern, giving plants a competitive advantage over weeds while boosting yield potential. 

When this technology was adopted in Burkina Faso, farmers reported yield increases of over 200 per cent. In Chemba, over 50 farmers from the villages of Kidoka and Rofati have already undergone training in this method thanks to Dorcas Tanzania’s pioneering efforts. Dorcas Tanzania was the first development practitioner to introduce this practice to the region.

How the ZAI pits work 

This is the step by step procedure that is shared with farmers: 

Step 1: Site clearance 
Remove weeds and unwanted plants. With minimal soil disturbance, the same pits can be reused year after year, a strong soil conservation measure. 

Step 2: Field layout 
Measure the field to ensure adequate spacing. In one acre, using a zig zag layout, farmers can prepare over 7,300 pits. 

Step 3: Site marking 
Mark the pits to ensure precision and enable easy division of labour. 

Step 4: ZAI Pit digging 
Dig pits 30 cm deep, spaced 80 cm apart, with 40 cm paths to allow easy weeding, monitoring and harvesting. Preparation is best done during the dry season so planting can begin with the first rains. 

Step 5: Mixing soil with manure 
Place at least four handfuls of manure into each pit, providing maximum nutrients for plant growth. 

Step 6: Seed planting 
Plant five maize seeds per pit, later thinning to four plants to reduce competition and ensure optimal yield. 

Beyond ensuring food security, this technology is a very practical climate change adaptation strategy that enhances resilience, improves livelihoods, and promotes sustainable environmental stewardship.

In rural Tanzania, the Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach has supported families in transforming their farms into sustainable sources of food and income. For William, a pastor, his wife Elizabeth and their five children, the programme has brought about lasting change. They have changed their farming methods and improved their household’s financial security. They have also become a source of inspiration for other farmers in the community. Today, they are building a stronger future for their family and others.

William and Elizabeth live with their family in Chemba, Tanzania. They own a small plot of land where they grow vegetables and keep livestock. Despite their hard work, their production was barely enough to sustain the household and they often had to spend their limited resources on buying extra food.

Before joining the project, William farmed in the same way as many others in his community: growing a single crop, keeping a small number of animals and doing little long-term planning. The farm generated too little income to support the family adequately. William explains:

‘My wife was the first to participate in the PIP programme. She eventually persuaded me to join as well. The training provided by Dorcas enabled us to expand our livestock and purchase more goats. Overall, the improvements have been remarkable, and Dorcas played a key role in making that possible.’

The training introduced William and Elizabeth to a mixed farming approach. Rather than relying on a single vegetable crop, they learned the value of diversification and how different crops can strengthen both food security and income generation. They also learned how to work with improved goat breeds that produce more milk and meat, and how to make the most productive use of a small plot of land.

‘When we grew only one type of vegetable, it was never enough,’ William explains. ‘The training showed us the importance of diversification. We now grow a variety of crops and manage livestock more effectively. That has brought significant benefits to our family.’

The impact of PIP

The family now generates income through the sale of surplus vegetables. Elizabeth has seen a major change in the household’s finances and food security.

Elizabeth says: ‘I used to spend around 5,000 Tanzanian shillings every day on vegetables, and even then we often did not have enough,’ she says. ‘At the market, I had to buy whatever was available. Now I no longer need to spend money on vegetables, and I can choose what we will eat from our own farm.’

William adds:

‘We now have financial security. Vegetable sales can generate up to 10,000 Tanzanian shillings a day, while we no longer need to buy vegetables ourselves. Part of that income is used for irrigation, and the rest helps us pay school fees and cover essential household expenses.’

The impact extends beyond improved finances. According to Elizabeth, the project has also strengthened family relationships.

‘I have seen how the project has brought greater love and unity to our family,’ she says. ‘We share the work, we share the harvest, and that sense of togetherness means a great deal to me.’

William agrees.

‘Elizabeth inspired me to become involved. She shared what she was learning through the training and encouraged me to participate. Through that process, I realised that successful farming is something you do together. It has strengthened our family and helped us build a more secure future.’

Inspiring the community

Today, William and Elizabeth are passing on their knowledge to other farmers in the community. They regularly invite neighbours to their farm to demonstrate how a mixed farming approach works in practice. They also visit other farmers to support them in applying the new techniques and overcoming challenges. William and Elizabeth distribute seeds and share practical knowledge that others can use on their own farms.

As a result, their influence now reaches far beyond their own household. Across the community, more families are keeping chickens and goats, cultivating a wider variety of crops and applying the techniques introduced through the PIP training programme. The family greatly values the opportunity to support others in the community to develop their livelihoods.

Smallholder farmers in the Chemba region of Tanzania face significant challenges in sustaining their livelihoods. Prolonged drought due to climate change and degraded soils have reduced agricultural productivity, limiting food security and income opportunities. Many households rely on rain-fed agriculture, leaving them vulnerable to failed harvests. The Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) project addresses these issues by strengthening the economic resilience of farming households. Combining planning, training and sustainable agricultural practices, the project is supporting 750 families to build more stable and diversified livelihoods.

A structured approach to economic development

At the core of the PIP approach lies a participatory planning process. Each household develops its own integrated plan for farming, income generation and wellbeing, covering areas such as crop production, livestock, soil restoration and financial planning.

The whole family is involved, which strengthens ownership and implementation. Dorcas then helps households to translate these plans into practical steps. Farmers also receive training in sustainable agriculture and entrepreneurship, covering topics such as soil improvement, water management, crop diversification and generating small-scale income. They learn to manage resources more effectively and prepare for periods of economic stress. A key element is the multiplier effect: trained farmers share their knowledge within their community.

Improved productivity and increased income

Farmers can increase their yields and restore soil fertility, resulting in more reliable food production and a surplus for the market. This directly increases household income, enabling families to invest in education, healthcare, and housing. Through savings groups, households can also strengthen their financial resilience and reduce their vulnerability to future shocks.

The story of Abdallah and his children

Abdallah Hassani, a farmer in Chemba, has experienced the impact first-hand. He lives with his children, Salah and Saoumou. In 2022, Abdallah joined agricultural projects and training programmes focused on improved farming techniques and planning.

After completing the training, he implemented new methods on his farm. His maize production increased in both 2023 and 2024, with approximately twenty additional bags produced compared to previous years.

This enabled him to sell part of his harvest, generate income and invest in building materials for his home, as well as starting a chicken farm. These improvements have significantly enhanced his living conditions.

In addition to the training, Abdallah received ongoing support in the form of regular visits, which provided him with advice and strengthened his confidence. He also gained access to medical support and awareness sessions, which contributed to his overall well-being.

The impact is also visible within his family. His children attend school, help with daily farm activities, and can pursue their ambitions. For Abdallah, increased productivity has translated into greater financial stability and improved prospects for the future.

Towards sustainable economic development

Through the PIP project, Dorcas invests in long-term economic development. By strengthening skills, improving productivity and enhancing livelihood opportunities, the project contributes to more resilient rural economies.

For the 750 participating families in Tanzania, this means improved livelihoods today and greater opportunities for the future.

In Chemba, these farming households move beyond subsistence towards greater self-reliance. Increased income, improved food security and stronger financial management establish the foundation for sustainable impact.

Across the world, many women continue to face barriers that limit their full participation in society, including in economic life. Limited access to markets, finance, and decision-making restricts their opportunities. Creating equal economic opportunities requires deliberate action.

At Dorcas, inclusion is central to our work. We apply a gender lens and an intersectional approach in selecting project participants, considering age, disability, poverty, and ethnicity to identify those most at risk of exclusion. Through this approach, we strengthen women’s economic participation.

In Dorcas’ economic development work, value chains play a key role. These programmes are designed to strengthen the participation of marginalised groups, including women, by providing chances to learn new skills, take part in production and sales, manage savings and finances, and have a stronger voice in household and community decisions. To see whether these intentions are realised, we studied our value chain projects across Tanzania, Kenya, and Ethiopia. While the study included multiple marginalised groups, this article focuses on what we found about women.

• Camel milk in Moyale, at the Kenya-Ethiopia border.
• Honey in Chemba, Tanzania.
• Chicken in Siaya, Kenya.
• Honey in Kitui, Kenya.
• Pasture and milk in Makueni, Kenya.

Women’s participation in value chains

The study shows that women participate actively and consistently. They attend trainings, join group activities, and engage in production linked to markets. Many gain new skills, earn a steadier income, and contribute more to household welfare. Participation also made women’s contributions more visible, leading to more discussion and shared decisions in households and groups, especially where income was regular and institutions strong. In Siaya, for example, predictable poultry income sparked household discussions about expenses: ‘When the chickens started bringing money regularly, I was asked how it should be used,’ a female poultry producer said.

But participation does not automatically mean control. While more households reported joint decision-making, women were rarely sole decision-makers. Traditional norms around asset ownership and authority often limited women’s long-term control.

Certain programme features supported women to participate more fully. Cooperatives and groups offered structure, shared responsibility, and formal recognition of women’s roles. Savings mechanisms helped women manage income and plan ahead. Direct access to markets reduced dependence on middlemen and removed the hassle of daily price negotiations.

Challenges and mitigation

Inclusion brings opportunities but also pressures. Increased participation can mean heavier workloads, exposure to safety risks, and vulnerability to economic shocks. Women, youth, persons with disabilities, and households facing poverty are particularly affected.

Dorcas works to reduce these pressures through group structures, peer support, and savings systems that help households manage uncertainty. Systematic risk management remains important to ensure all participants can benefit safely and fairly.

Lessons for women’s empowerment

From the study, four core lessons emerge for strengthening women’s empowerment in value chains:

1. Participation alone is not enough. Empowerment requires not only involvement but also influence over outcomes. Women need a say in how income is used and resources managed. Without control over benefits, participation risks remaining symbolic rather than transformative.
2. Working together strengthens resilience. Cooperatives, savings groups, and Farmer Field Schools provide structure, peer support, and safe spaces to learn and plan. Collective approaches increase predictability, reduce vulnerability, and strengthen women’s voice and legitimacy.
3. Context matters. Women’s experiences differ. Age, disability, ethnicity, and prevailing social norms shape how they can participate and benefit. Recognising these differences ensures inclusion reaches those most at risk and that empowerment gains last.
4. Diversifying income increases stability. Relying on a single activity exposes households to shocks. Combining value chain roles with savings, micro-enterprises, or service-based work spreads risk and strengthens long-term economic security.

‘Today, I see myself as a businesswoman’

Kadija, a 50-year-old woman from Moyale, Ethiopia, joined the camel milk cooperative to overcome seasonal poverty and uncertainty. She recalls:

‘Before I joined the cooperative, my life was very uncertain. During the dry seasons, work would completely disappear. Some days we struggled just to get food.’Through the milk collection centre, Kadija gained a stable income and became a recognised economic contributor in her household and community. She explains:

‘Today, I see myself as a businesswoman. I have a stable income, I save money, and I plan better. People respect me more, and I have a voice not only in my home but also in the community.’

She also highlights the importance of working together:

‘Working together changed everything for me. Through the cooperative, women support each other, share responsibilities, and inspire one another to keep going.”

Her story reflects the broader findings: when women gain access to skills, markets, income, and collective support, economic participation can translate into greater stability, recognition, and confidence.

1 October is the UN International Day of Older People, and one of its aims is to ensure that people can grow old with dignity and continue to participate in society. In the countries where Dorcas works, older persons are often marginalised, lack access to basic services and struggle to survive on meagre incomes. With its community safety net programme, Dorcas tackles these issues by enabling local communities to care for and protect their older people. 

What are community safety nets? 

Dorcas started to develop and implement the community safety nets (CSN) approach in 2017. A community safety net (CSN) mobilises different organisations in a community to provide a safe and supportive environment for older people in which they can flourish. It also raises awareness about the issues older people face.  

‘I have a large number of people to talk to now, and I feel like a human. I am back to normal.‘ – Quote from a project participant.

Evaluation of the CSN approach 

This year, Dorcas commissioned an evaluation of its CSN projects in Albania, Egypt, Ethiopia, Moldova, Romania, Tanzania and Ukraine to discover the impact of the programme and which best practices can be implemented to make it more sustainable.  

Older people’s dignity restored 

The dignity of older people is restored through the wide range of social, intergenerational, income-generating and spiritual activities that CSNs offer. Participants become more active in their local communities and feel valued. Less able-bodied participants are not forgotten either: those who are bedridden receive home visits. Valuable traditions are created, social cohesion is strengthened, and communities discover that they can do more than they originally realised to enable older people to flourish. 

‘CSN taught us how to cook healthy food.‘ – Quote from a project participant.

Challenges encountered 

However, the transition from Dorcas’ original Adopt-a-Granny approach to sustainable community safety nets that make full use of local resources is not a straightforward path. There have been many challenges along the way for example:  

• Many local communities are not used to taking ownership of a situation. 

• Parties are often more willing to donate than become involved as partners. 

• Advocacy efforts towards government are still in its very early stages. 

• A better balance needs to be found between the positive and negative effects of providing material support to older persons.  

Best practices?  

The various CSN projects are still in a state of transition. As a result, no clear set of best practices has emerged from the evaluation. However, various successful practices were found, such as actively involving participants, churches as natural allies in caring for older people, creating a shared and diverse ownership of a CSN, and holding governments accountable. 

‘Peer-to-peer and social support systems are gaining traction. What began with volunteers inviting attendees has flourished into a self-sustaining cycle where attendees extend the invitation to their friends. This exemplifies the power of social support in fostering a safe and inclusive community.‘ – Actor from Egypt 

Next steps for CSNs 

The evaluation report made various recommendations about the next steps for CSNs. These include:  

• Continuing to invest in asset-based community development.  

• Realising a more strategic approach to advocacy. 

• Promoting multistakeholder approaches. 

• Seeking to diversify funding sources for CSN projects.  

In the coming months, the Dorcas country offices in Albania, Egypt, Ethiopia, Moldova, Romania, Tanzania and Ukraine will use the evaluation to take appropriate measures to improve the sustainability and impact of their CSN projects. 

Curious to learn more? Read the evaluation report below:

Dorcas is proud to share our publication highlighting the impact of the Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach in Tanzania and Mozambique. This report shows the resilience and empowerment of smallholder farmers in these regions as they face the challenges of climate change and land degradation. 

Our report demonstrates significant progress in improving food security, economic resilience and climate-smart agricultural practices. By fostering community collaboration and assisting households in vulnerable situations, Dorcas continues to support farmers to build sustainable livelihoods. 

Read the publication here:

In many parts of the world, menstruation is still a taboo. In Tanzania this is also very much an issue. Lilian, Country Director of Dorcas Tanzania, is deliberately speaking out on this issue because ‘breaking the silence restores the dignity of women’.  

Latifa, from Tanzania, remembers very well the first time that she had her period. She woke up in the middle of the night and had a terrible stomach ache. Latifa went to the toilet and saw that she had started bleeding. She was shocked and went to see her mother. Her mother was very calm, which surprised Latifa, and said: ‘You are an adult now and that means you have to abide by new rules.’ Latifa was no longer allowed to play with boys, because if she did she would get pregnant. And when she had her period, she was not allowed to pick vegetables or go to the well to fetch water. Then there was the challenge of not leaking and staining her clothes. All this led to Latifa isolating herself when she was menstruating and not going to school. Her life became difficult and lonely.

No exception

Latifa’s story is no exception across Tanzania, according to Lilian. The MHM4Her (Menstrual Hygiene Management for Her) project is one of the projects of Dorcas Tanzania, which started in 2016 in the Manyara region. Lilian: ‘This is an area with a lot of poverty and a lack of clean water and sanitation. We offered support and found that many girls in the area were not going to school when they were menstruating. This was not only because of the stomach aches, but also because they did not have proper sanitary facilities to change and they were embarrassed if they stained their clothes. As you can imagine, the consequences for the girls were enormous. Some of them never went back to school. I immediately knew that addressing this issue would be our new challenge.’ 

Breaking the silence

Lilian and her team started working on a plan to support the young women to get back to school. The first step was to ensure that the schools had good sanitation facilities. They also raised awareness about hygiene and menstrual products. The male leaders were also involved in this process. Lilian: ‘At first they were angry. They were embarrassed by us. We explained to them that they should be aware of these issues because they are the ones who make the decisions. The young boys have also been taught about menstruation. Girls were often laughed at by the boys and we wanted to break the silence and we also wanted to explain to them what menstruation is really all about. We told them that it is not something bad, but that menstruation is about life.’  

The Manyara project was not the end of the story. With the support of the government and a number of other organisations, similar projects have been launched in other parts of Tanzania over the past few years. Menstrual hygiene is now part of Tanzania’s school curriculum. Lilian: ‘Because we started talking about it, people’s views in Tanzania have changed. It takes time, but I believe the taboo will be broken and this will lead to more gender equality in our country.’

This article is translated from an interview that appeared in the Dutch newspaper ‘Nederlands Dagblad’ (4 May 2024). The original text is written by: Hilde Kooij-Tromp.

Peter is a Social Empowerment and Protection Expert at Dorcas.

Peter is involved with the implementation of the Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach within Dorcas. This approach supports farmers and their families in different countries in visualising and achieving their long-term goals. Peter: ‘Central to the PIP approach is the development of an Integrated Farm Plan by all members of the household. Together, they make a drawing of the desired future situation, which serves as a basis to take concrete actions to reach their dream. Since it is their own plan, they are very motivated to achieve it! Unlike many traditional expert-led methods, PIP empowers communities to take charge of their own development, ensuring sustainability and scalability without relying too much on external resources.’

‘PIP employs simple yet effective methods which – in a short time – can lead to considerable increases in productivity, for example digging water-catchment trenches and leaving agricultural residuals on the soil to conserve moist, prevent erosion and improve soil health. Working in groups is a key strength, addressing shared challenges such as unpredictable rainfall patterns and degrading soils. By starting with innovative individuals, training them, and then having them train others, PIP can achieve 80% coverage of farmers in a community within 2.5 years.’

Long-term effects of PIP
Peter continues: ‘Because PIP focuses on the vision of the farmers and communities themselves, the long-term effects are significant. PIP’s impact is seen in diversified land use, with more crops, kitchen gardens, animals, and additional income sources. The approach makes households more resilient and engages youth in activities like poultry farming, making them active contributors to their households and communities.’

Sustainable approaches
‘What I find beautiful about PIP is its focus on the entire family and quick scalability within communities. It empowers people to pursue their aspirations, moving away from the traditional expert-driven model. Unlike approaches that collapse when NGOs withdraw, PIP sustains itself by tapping into local knowledge and inspiring innovation. Furthermore, PIP is crucial in raising awareness and making households more resilient to environmental challenges like droughts and floods. By spreading knowledge and encouraging risk diversification, PIP ensures that households and communities are better prepared for unforeseen circumstances.’

‘It is very inspiring to see more organisations adopting and implementing the PIP approach. In the Netherlands, these organisations are working together in the PIP platform, sharing knowledge and lessons learned. I am looking forward to a broad expansion of this approach, as more organisations, farmers and communities adopt it.’