From June 17–21, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa, the Ifakara Health Institute participated in the global launch of the IMARISHA project—a new five-year initiative focused on addressing gendered workplace violence in primary healthcare settings. 

The project officially kicked off this week with a high-level meeting that brought together international partners to align on goals, strategies, and collaborative approaches.

Ifakara leads implementation in Tanzania
In Tanzania, Ifakara will lead the implementation of this critical research. Representing the Institute at the Cape Town meeting are Dr. Sally Mtenga, Principal Investigator for the project, and Irene Mashasi, Project Coordinator. During the meeting, Dr. Mtenga delivered a key presentation, outlining the local context and IHI’s strategy for contributing to the broader goals of the project.

About the IMARISHA
IMARISHA is a multi-country, multi-partner collaboration involving organizations from Tanzania, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Malaysia. The project aims to better understand and address workplace violence—especially gender-based violence—experienced by primary healthcare workers.

>> Learn more about this project here

Research will focus on three countries: Tanzania, South Africa, and Burkina Faso. The project’s lead partner in South Africa is the University of the Western Cape, which is hosting the Cape Town meeting.

Laying the groundwork for safer workplaces
This inaugural meeting is crucial for building a shared understanding of IMARISHA’s objectives, aligning expectations, and strengthening collaboration across all country teams. The agenda includes team-building, refining research and management strategies, and establishing clear communication and coordination frameworks for the duration of the project.

Participants are working together to identify strengths and address potential challenges in implementation, ensuring the research is responsive to the specific gendered dynamics of workplace violence in each country.

Looking ahead
The outcomes of this week’s discussions in Cape Town will guide the direction of IMARISHA over the next five years. By fostering a strong, adaptive, and well-coordinated research partnership, the project aims to generate actionable insights and ultimately improve the safety and equity of healthcare workplaces.

This meeting is a big step towards creating a united partnership that learns and adapts. The goal is to make healthcare workplaces safer and fairer for everyone. The discussions and plans made this week in Cape Town will be crucial for the IMARISHA project over the next five years, ultimately helping healthcare workers have a better and safer working environment.