IMPLEMENTATION of the project to assess gaps in women’s participation in peace operations formally started yesterday, as the Tanzania People’s Defence Forces (TPDF) signed a one-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) with three key institutions.

The stakeholders involved are UN Women Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

Lieutenant General Salum Haji Othman, the TPDF chief of staff said after the signing that envisaged assessment will provide evidence-based recommendations to review policies, strengthen organizational structures to improve conditions, ensuring that more women can assume leadership roles in peacekeeping missions.

Under the agreement, the Elsie Initiative Fund will support the project through UN Women Tanzania, profiled as measuring opportunities for women in peace operations (MOWIP) initiative.

The project is intended to identify systemic, cultural, operational and logistical barriers that limit women’s recruitment, retention, deployment and leadership in uniformed services.

“This partnership demonstrates Tanzania’s commitment to the women, peace and security agenda,” he said, underling that it is aligned with Tanzania’s national action plan covering 2025 to 2029).

The MOWIP assessment is expected to strengthen national research and statistical outlays while fostering collaboration across defence, academic and gender institutions, he elaborated, hinting at obtaining a final report by September this year.

Katherine Gifford, the UN Women country representative, described the national action plan as a milestone in advancing gender inclusion, highlighting ongoing collaboration since 2023 with government agencies, academia and the development partners, praising Tanzania’s contributions to UN and African Union peacekeeping missions.

Brigadier George Itang’are. The Tanzania Peacekeeping Training Centre commandant said this assessment exercise will examine ten areas affecting women’s deployment, pointing at recruitment pools, selection criteria, household responsibilities, infrastructure and leadership pathways.

“The research will focus on visible gaps and generate practical recommendations to enhance meaningful participation of women in peace operations,” he said.

Dr Amina Msengwa, the statistician general, described the collaboration as a milestone for inclusive governance and national planning, as expanded data collection will strengthen decision-making and provide a baseline to measure future progress.

Prof. Rose Uppo, the University of Dar es Salaam deputy vice-chancellor (academic) said the partnership leverages national intellectual capacity, infrastructure and technology to improve research methodologies and visibility.

The collaboration represents a long-term alliance aligned with national priorities and high research ethics standards, she added.