Irish Agricultural Support Empowers Women in Tanzania

Since 1991, Bóthar, an Irish charity with deep agricultural roots, has specialised in providing livestock (primarily dairy cows and goats) and training to families in developing countries. Through its programmes, Bóthar has enabled women, men, children, and communities worldwide to overcome hunger and poverty while restoring the environment in a sustainable way.

Irish donors have long supported Bóthar’s mission by purchasing gifts of goats for families overseas. These donations directly support initiatives such as this year’s International Women’s Day plan, where livestock will provide a sustainable source of income and food security for vulnerable households. The gift of an animal continues a proud tradition of Irish families from all over Ireland supporting their counterparts in developing countries. This project is one of many that Bóthar is implementing in 2025 to make a tangible difference in people’s lives.

To celebrate and promote International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025, Bóthar has approved funding for an Economic and Educational Upliftment goat project in Kibamba, Tanzania. This initiative aligns with Bóthar’s core mission: ensuring the equitable and meaningful participation of all people, particularly women and girls. The 2025 project is being carried out in partnership with the Daughters of Mary Immaculate (DMI) Global Mission, Tanzania. Since 2003, DMI Global Mission has been dedicated to empowering vulnerable and marginalised groups, including women, children, victims of trafficking, HIV/AIDS patients, child labourers, farmers, and youth through various development programmes. DMI Global Mission has built strong trust and acceptance within communities across Tanzania.

Women participating in Bóthar supported programmes gain access to resources and training in a structured environment that recognises and values the roles of all family members - men and women, girls and boys. The proposed project is designed to significantly enhance the socio-economic conditions of women-headed households by providing targeted entrepreneurship training, access to essential capacity-building resources, and animal husbandry support.

DMI Global Mission will conduct focus groups and select female heads of household to participate in the programme. Participants will receive training in livestock management, with a focus on goat rearing, feeding, disease prevention, and breeding. In addition, they will undergo training in small business management, savings, marketing, and financial literacy.

Each woman who successfully completes the programme will receive a pair of goats (one male and one female) to establish a sustainable source of income. Follow-up guidance will be provided on breeding, market access, and secondary products such as milk production. Over the six-month programme, additional training will cover maternal and child health, nutrition, reproductive rights, and gender-based violence prevention.

In Dar es Salaam, the number of women- headed households has been rising due to widowhood, divorce, abandonment, migration, and gender-based violence. Many of these families face severe economic challenges, social marginalisation, and restricted access to essential services. Economic struggles, including unemployment, financial exclusion, and unpaid caregiving duties, often push their children into labour and school dropouts due to financial constraints.

Over the six-month period of this Bóthar-funded programme, DMI Global Mission Tanzania will implement a model aimed at improving the financial stability of at least 80% of participating women. Moreover, 90% of beneficiaries will develop greater self-confidence and engage in income-generating activities. This project will contribute to improved school attendance among children, helping to reduce dropout rates caused by financial hardship. Additionally, it will strengthen women’s networks that advocate for economic and social rights, furthering the ethos of International Women’s Day in their own communities and beyond.

Bóthar is delighted to provide this additional support to DMI Global Mission Tanzania who will also be the partner project for Bóthar’s upcoming Easter 2025 campaign. Those wishing to contribute can do so via the following methods:

To Donate:

• By post: Cheques or Postal Orders payable to Bóthar, c/o Regus Castletroy, Business Reply, Limerick, V94 Y6FD
• By phone: 061 414142 (10am - 4pm Monday to Thursday)
• Donte online here