EfD Tanzania researchers, Dr. John Mduma and Dr. Wilhelm Ngasamiaku, in collaboration with researchers from University of Dar es Salaam and African Institute for Development Policy carried a study on Prospects and Challenges of Harnessing Demographic Dividend in Tanzania. The study was commissioned and funded under the USAID project titled Evidence to Action for Strengthening Reproductive Health through Pathfinder International Tanzania.
From the findings of the study, the team prepared a Research brief and conducted a dissemination workshop that was held in Dodoma form 14th to 19th August 2017. The workshop targeted the Economic Planers from the Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania mainland. The intention was to reaching the government’s officials responsible for planning at the local level. With the importance of the Demographic Dividend, planners are expected to take appropriate policies, especially regarding human capital and job opportunities in order to avoid demographic disaster in Tanzania.
Commenting on the benefits of the workshop, one of the participants said, “The issues of population pressure on the environment should be accorded the emphasis it deserves. As such, the concept of environment and development issues cannot be solved separately without touching the issue of population dynamics and opportunities and demographic transition. The issue of environmental and natural resources degradation has direct relationship between population dynamics, economic development, poverty and aspect of employment opportunities Solutions to many environmental issues require the right combination of policies including population policies”
The same report has been presented to two committees of the national assembly/parliament. The demand for further dissemination is increasing. It is planned that the next step will be to disseminate the report to all regional administrative secretaries in Tanzania mainland.
For more detail follow the links https://www.africaportal.org/publications/opportunities-for-harnessing-the-demographic-dividend-in-tanzania/
http://www.gatesinstitute.org/sites/default/files/Tanzania%20Research%20Brief.pdf