Social Empowerment

UCRT believes that improving the lives of pastoralist communities cannot be achieved if women, youth, and other marginalized groups are left behind. Strengthening their social and economic empowerment is essential to building resilient and self-reliant communities.
Tools such as Certificates of Customary Right of Occupancy (CCROs) promote equality by protecting the collective rights of all members, especially women, children, and other vulnerable groups who depend on communal lands and resources.
Empowering marginalized groups is also central to securing tenure. When these groups participate in leadership and decision-making around resource use and management, governance becomes more inclusive and representative. By promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, UCRT helps strengthen local institutions and governance processes—laying the groundwork for meaningful and lasting social change.

EMPOWERING WOMEN AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE
FOR STRONGER, RESILIENT COMMUNITIES

For many years, pastoralist women have faced deep marginalisation within their communities. This is reflected in limited access to property—such as land and livestock—along with high maternal and child mortality, low levels of education, early and forced marriages, and demanding daily responsibilities that often lead to physical hardship. Within a patriarchal system, women have had few opportunities to challenge these conditions or participate in key community decisions. As a result, Maasai women remain among the most economically and socially disadvantaged groups in Tanzania.
UCRT’s approach to women’s empowerment is rooted in the belief that strengthening women’s roles in community development is key to building inclusive and sustainable systems. Our women's empowerment work focuses on reducing inequality by supporting pastoralist women to become more self-reliant—through collective action, solidarity groups, and income-generating initiatives that allow women to take control of their own livelihoods and futures.