SUCCESS STORY

In the world of Democracy, Human Rights,  Governance  (DRG), the  establishment  of effective  Working  Groups  (WGs)  is crucial for achieving impactful outcomes. The  Data-Driven Advocacy  (DDA)  Activity  operated during  a  period when  the civic space in Tanzania was shrinking due to restricted fundamental freedoms. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs),  Media  Houses, and individuals were highly censored, with little to no steps taken to address other key human rights concerns in Tanzania.

Due to  these challenges, the DDA Activity sought an innovative  way  to  address the complex human rights issues through      the establishment of Working Groups.  The  Working  Groups  were  comprised  of CSOs  with  diverse backgrounds  and expertise who shared a passion for human rights and good governance. The aim of having Working Groups working collaboratively was to jointly advocate on issues and have a unified voice that would prevent censorship.

The Working Groups established included:

1. Working Group  1  (Civic Space) o Strategic Litigation Subgroup
   1. Policy Analysis and Government Engagement Subgroup
   2. Working Group 2 (Women, Children, Youth, and People with Disabilities)
      • Youth Subgroup
   3. Working Group 3 (New and Alternative Media)
   4. Working Group 4 (Zanzibar)
   5. Working Group 5 (Dodoma)

These  groups  were  formed based   on   criteria  such   as   expertise  and   knowledge,   diversity  and   inclusion,   collaboration   and teamwork, passion and  commitment, and  advocacy  skills and  strategic  thinking. Each  Working  Group's  annual implementation  was  governed  by  a specific  Advocacy  Strategy  which  outlined   Advocacy   Priorities   in  line   with   the  thematic  area  of the  Working  Group.  The  Advocacy  Strategies  were   also  informed   by   the   Annual  Applied   Political   Economy  Assessment   (APEA)   conducted,  providing   DDA   with   the  opportunity   to    continue   learning  and   adapting   to   the continuously changing operating environment.

Over the six years of implementation, the DDA Activity provided these Working Groups with a  diverse  range of  Technical  Assistance  and Capacity  Development  initiatives. These  coaching  and mentorship  sessions   equipped  CSOs   within   the   Working Groups with advanced  skill sets  to  engage  the Government  in  various advocacy  initiatives.  The training  and  mentorship included  areas   such  as   Policy   Analysis,  Human   Rights   Monitoring  and   Documentation,   Data  Journalism,   Digital and Physical Security Coaching, and Technical and Institutional Mentorship.

Major Achievements of the Working Groups:

1. Policy Influence: Through continuous engagement with policymakers, the Working  Groups achieved the following:  o Amendment of the Societies Act
   • Amendment of the Persons with Disabilities Act
   • Amendment of the HIV and AIDS Act
2. Coalition Building: WGs were provided with Technical Assistance, which has increased their social capital to influence the government decision-making process.
3. Partnership and Collaboration: The WG approach has also developed professional relationships and networks among WG members and outside WGs.

“If it was not for DDA, I don’t think    we would  be                able     to work    with       well- established organizations. We have been able   to   establish    working relations with members of other WGs.”

• WG Member