This forum took place on Thursday October 1, 2015 at ASA Lounge, Dar-es-Salaam Institute of Technology. The objective of this forum was to increase awareness on climate change adaptation in relation to gender issues. It was attended by 30 participants out of which 15 were from DIT and 15 outside DIT. Here are a few highlights from presenters;

1. DR. JULIANNE SANSA-OTIM, WIMEA-ICT PROJECT INVESTIGATOR

The WIMEA-ICT project was started to improve weather information management through the application of suitable ICTs. Out-dated weather information infrastructure, insufficient number of meteorological personnel with limited career development in the field and unresponsive curricula created a need for the WIMEA-ICT project. Currently the project has 8 PhD students, 2 (1 man and 1 woman) of these are Tanzanians researching on Weather Information Modelling and Density on Weather Stations and 13 more are expected to be Master students.

2. MS HELLEN MSEMO, FROM THE TANZANIA METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY;

Gender and climate change matter a lot as climate affects both males and females. Women are more vulnerable to climate change because of their roles in reproduction and community productivity. Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) spread weather disaster information through “Disaster Committee” at the village level and also use Community Radios as well as through the TMA website. The challenge for weather information to reach women in rural areascan be resolved through the following ways;

a) Understanding the needs and use of weather and climate information

b) Developing programs to benefit both men and women

c) Developing mechanism at the local level to reach women

d) Developing mutual resources used at household level

e) Developing educational and outreach programs in schools and rural communities

As long as access to information is a problem to women especially in rural areas, it was suggested that WIMEA-ICT Project should capacitate academic institutions so as to solve these and other problems facing TMA. It was reported that the WIMEA-ICT project will improve access to weather information as this solution will be customized in all countries involved in the project.

3. DR. AMOS NUNGU, PROJECT COORDINATOR AT DIT

The Masters Program in Computational Sciences and Engineering at DIT is a product of WIMEA-ICT Project. This course started in November 2015. So far the course has the following admission status: 27 applicants, 25 are males and 02 are females and 05 scholarships to DIT staff. Engendering the curriculum will be dealt with during the curriculum review exercise that will happen after the program has run for the first year.

4. DIT PRINCIPAL (PROF. JOHN KONDORO)

Prof. Kondoro informed members about the affirmative actions DIT has been making to encourage females to join Engineering studies. Some of the actions include; minimum qualification for females while the males compete for cut off points, conducting pre-entry programs which are sponsored for females, conducting female sensitization in secondary schools upcountry, every year secondary students have been sensitized to join DIT for their future studies.

5. DR. AGNES SEMWANGA, THE GENDER FOCAL PERSON ON THE WIMEA-ICT PROJECT

The effect of climate change on women is more evident as it increases impact on food security and water access. Therefore there is need to ensure access to timely and accurate information on climate change, the use of language that women understand and gender equality on staff employment in the meteorological industry. The current number of PhD female students has increased as follows: There are 2 in Uganda and 1 in Tanzania. There is need to look at the meteorological curriculum to ensure that it is engendered (looking at the needs of both male and female) and to encourage women to study science subjects at primary and secondary school level. Some of the gender specific activities in the project are; gender networking events among the PhD students, gender workshops to engender curriculums, gender sensitization workshops, motivational talks where PhD students will meet their role models. The component will also provide incentives for female students who get pregnant during their training programs.