Gendering EU Politics Seminars: Aikande Clement Kwayu, Assesment of Good Governance and Gender Equality in the EU’S Budgetary Support Programme in Tanzania: Insights from Agriculture Sector, 16 November 2023, Bahçeşehir University (hybrid)
FEJUST Chair hosted Dr. Aikande Clement Kwayu, a highly regarded development consultant and social scientist in Tanzania, shared her extensive international experience during the Gendering EU Politics seminar. The focus of the seminar centered on the “Assessment of Good Governance and Gender Equality in the EU’s Budgetary Support Programme in Tanzania: Insights from Agriculture Sector” which was co-authored with FEJUST Chair Rahime Süleymanoğlu-Kürüm. With a doctoral degree in Politics and International Relations from the University of Nottingham (UK), Kwayu's research interests span development, civic space, and the intersection of religion with development politics. She is the author of impactful articles in esteemed international journals and two significant books: "Religion and British International Development Policy" (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020) and "Pragmatic Faith and the Tanzanian Lutheran Church" (co-authored with AMY STAMBACH, Rowman and Littlefield Publishing, 2021). Beyond her scholarly contributions, Kwayu is recognized for her consultancy expertise in political economy analyses, policy analysis, project evaluation, and research.
The seminar delved into a comprehensive analysis, specifically exploring the extent to which gender equality is integrated into the EU's promotion of good governance within its budgetary support program for the agriculture sector in Tanzania. The discussion brought attention to the notable decline in democratic and civic space since 2016, instances of gender discrimination affecting pregnant schoolgirls and LGBT rights, and the EU's nuanced relationship with Tanzania. Despite the EU's threat to revise its development framework in 2018, development aid continued, and in 2021, the EU launched the 'Agriconnect' agriculture program, providing 100 million Euros in support.
The analysis revealed challenges arising from the separation of gender equality and good governance within the EU's aid to Tanzania. Gender mainstreaming faces obstacles, particularly affecting women farmers. The weak implementation of gender-responsive indicators, a lack of quantitative monitoring, transparency issues, and a reluctance to impose sanctions contribute to the disempowerment of women farmers. The Tanzanian government challenges EU norms, questioning their compatibility with Tanzanian values and advocating for a more participatory approach. The rise of illiberal donors, such as China, reinforces Tanzania's resistance against perceived Western norms. Joint management of EU funds with the Tanzanian Ministry of Finance amid increasing authoritarianism. The EU's struggle to balance its good governance strategy against the influence of illiberal donors contributes to the strengthening of authoritarian tendencies in Tanzania. To watch full recording, follow the link.
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