Anfra Masoko

Chama cha Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania (UMATI)

Introduction: Chama cha Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania (UMATI) is an autonomous, non-political national NGO providing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information, education, and services in Tanzania. It has been in operation since 1959 and became a leading national organization providing quality youth-friendly SRH information and services, particularly to young people and women. In 1965 UMATI became a member association for International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) where technical and core funds support was provided. By being a member of IPPF, UMATI is internationally connected through experience sharing with other IPPF member associations.

UMATI is envisioning to see a Tanzania where people are free to choose and exercise their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights without discrimination in gender, sex, and age. The visioning process of UMATI highlighted the need to integrate “without discrimination” as a recurring theme as well as an organizational value statement. “Freedom of choice” was agreed as a paramount inclusion at the end that UMATI would love to see by doing its core business.

UMATI’s Mission Statement is to champion SRHR and provide information and services targeting the young and underserved. In coming up with the Mission Statement, cognizance was put on the strategic position of UMATI as a leading SRHR service provider in Tanzania. This was eventually replaced by “champion” recognizing the need to lead not only by the provision of services but also by enabling other service providers including capacity building to local CSOs partners in the country to champion SRHR through their advocacy initiatives. UMATI strives for structural poverty reduction by improving the health of people in the country regardless of gender and political or religious beliefs, with priorities being given to the poorest communities and hard-to-reach populations.

ABOUT THE PROJECT: This project is a partnership between UMATI, and WGNNR AFRICA intended to increase young people’s ability to collectively advocate for the fulfillment of their SRHR and to live free from discrimination and violence. It intends to amplify the voice of youth-led and WROs to effectively advocate in a coordinated approach for young people’s access to integrated, quality, youth-friendly SRHR information and services. Specifically, the project will connect young people advocates and health workers to work together using evidence-based approaches to remove social, legal, and institutional barriers to Adolescent Girls and Young Women’s (AGYWs) access to integrated SRH services and information through joint advocacy campaigning, demand creation, and service delivery; and to create of safe spaces that facilitate mutual learning, sharing and supporting.

Visit orgsnization site for document files about the tender.