Hakizetu Organization

Hakizetu was established by survivors of gender-based violence with a unique purpose of empowering fellow survivors to reclaim their voices and make informed, independent life choices. Rooted in their experiences, the founders recognized that economic hardship often compels young women and girls to make detrimental choices simply to preserve financial stability. Hakizetu’s mission is to eliminate these barriers by creating pathways to economic freedom, ensuring that women and girls no longer need to sacrifice their well-being for survival. Over time, Hakizetu has grown into a driving force for economic empowerment, dedicated to transforming the lives of vulnerable women and girls in Tanzania.

Mission and Approach

At Hakizetu, our mission centers on economically empowering young women and girls, particularly those affected by gender-based violence, to achieve financial independence and improve their quality of life. Our organization provides training, resources, and support to equip survivors with sustainable livelihoods. Through a combination of marketable skills training, employability skills, entrepreneurial support, and access to financial resources, Hakizetu enables young women and girls to build independent lives free from economic hardship. By focusing on livelihoods and economic empowerment, Hakizetu helps survivors make empowered choices, leading to stronger communities and a more equitable society.

Our interventions:

Hakizetu’s livelihoods and economic empowerment programs are the core of our efforts to transform lives. These initiatives target young women and girls who have survived gender-based violence, providing them with practical skills, employability skills, resources, and opportunities that lead to sustainable incomes. By focusing on economic independence, Hakizetu helps participants break the cycle of poverty, build self-confidence, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.

Vocational Training and Skill Development: Recognizing the importance of marketable skills, Hakizetu offers vocational training programs tailored to local market demands. These programs cover a range of skills, from tailoring and handicrafts to agricultural techniques and food processing, empowering women to earn stable incomes. By equipping participants with practical, in-demand skills, Hakizetu helps them secure livelihoods that can support themselves and their families. Also benefeciaries are supported with 3 months of apprenticeship.

Entrepreneurship and Small Business Support: Hakizetu encourages entrepreneurship as a means to economic independence. Through our small business support programs, we guide women and girls in starting and managing their own businesses. This includes training in basic business skills, such as financial management, marketing, and customer relations, as well as mentorship and ongoing support to help them succeed. By fostering entrepreneurial skills, Hakizetu enables women to create self-sustaining ventures that contribute to the local economy.

Access to Micro-Loans and Seed Funding: To overcome financial barriers, Hakizetu provides access to micro-loans and seed funding for small business startups. Many survivors of gender-based violence lack the initial capital to start a business, which can limit their economic options. Through partnerships and internal funding programs, Hakizetu offers low-interest loans and seed grants that enable participants to launch and grow their enterprises, helping them achieve economic stability.

Business Incubation and Mentorship: Hakizetu’s business incubation services provide structured support for women-led enterprises in their early stages. Participants receive one-on-one mentorship, market linkages, and business development guidance. This holistic approach allows them to navigate challenges and seize opportunities within their industries. By connecting them with experienced mentors, Hakizetu fosters long-term business growth and resilience.

Digital Literacy and Technological Integration: As digital skills become increasingly essential for business success, Hakizetu offers digital literacy training to small entrepreneurs. These sessions teach participants how to use digital tools for business purposes, such as online marketing, mobile payments, and record-keeping. By integrating technology into their operations, women can reach broader markets, increase their productivity, and enhance their financial security.

Achievements and Impact

Hakizetu’s livelihoods programs have had a profound impact on the lives of participants, helping them transition from dependency to economic independence. By focusing on measurable outcomes, we ensure that our programs deliver tangible benefits for participants and their communities. For every dollar invested in these programs, Hakizetu sees an average return of seven dollars within the first two years after graduation, showcasing the transformative power of economic empowerment.

Our progress tracking system allows Hakizetu to monitor participants' growth and success, ensuring that at least 30-40% of beneficiaries are actively followed up on monthly and quarterly. This ongoing support and evaluation help refine our programs and identify new opportunities for improvement, maximizing the impact on each participant’s life.

The following are impact and outcome for only one year 2023:

-Job Creation: 298 new jobs were created through vocational skill training, with 248 beneficiaries earning an average monthly salary between 380,000 – 450,000 TZS ($147 - $173).

-453 new employments were created through beneficiaries of small entrepreneur development initiative

-New Business Establishment: 13 new businesses were established, grouping 39 beneficiaries. The average monthly earnings from these businesses range from 280,000 – 330,000 TZS ($108 - $127) per each individual.

-Seed Funding and Micro-Loans: $129,806 was invested in 1,500 small businesses as seed funding and micro-loans. Loan repayment stands at 98% with a 10% interest rate. This investment is from both Hakizetu and potential partners

-Business Growth: 75% of beneficiaries reported a 30% increase in income within six months after receiving business development and micro-loans support.

-Strengthened the network of business mentors, increasing the number of experts from 28 in previous years to 50 in 2023.

-Increased Access to Markets: 60% of new business owners reported improved access to local, regional, and international markets, leading to increased sales and customer engagement. In 2023, Hakizetu connected beneficiaries to international markets in the UK and Iceland, generating an estimated $28,700 in business transactions.

-Beneficiaries reported an overall improvement in their quality of life, with 80% of 910 beneficiaries filled the survey, indicating better access to basic needs such as food, healthcare, and education for their families, thanks to their increased incomes.

Future Plans

Hakizetu has ambitious plans to expand its economic empowerment initiatives to reach even more women and girls in Tanzania. Our vision includes establishing additional vocational training centers in underserved regions, increasing the availability of micro-loans and seed funding, and scaling up our digital literacy programs. By expanding our programs, Hakizetu aims to create sustainable pathways to economic independence for thousands more women and girls, furthering our mission of empowering survivors of gender-based violence.

Hakizetu is also exploring partnerships to enhance our business incubation services, enabling us to provide specialized mentorship and market access for various industries. Also, we plan to incorporate more advanced digital tools and financial literacy training, equipping participants with the knowledge needed to navigate the digital economy confidently.

Hakizetu stands as a beacon of hope for young women and girls in Tanzania, especially those who have survived gender-based violence. By focusing on livelihoods and economic empowerment, Hakizetu empowers them to make informed, independent choices and build a future free from economic hardship. Our programs are not just about financial assistance, they are about fostering resilience, self-confidence, and sustainable change. Through our continued efforts, Hakizetu will remain committed to transforming lives and advocating for a society where women and girls can thrive without fear or dependence. We proud to support our fellow survivors to mitigate from economic hardship with subject them to violence.