Women surge in civic ballot thrills activists
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) has lauded the numerous enhance in ladies’s participation within the lately concluded Local Government Election, calling upon them to unite and collaborate to additional improve their involvement in politics and management roles.
TGNP Board Chairperson, Gemma Akilimali stated that this yr’s native authorities election has seen a exceptional enhance in ladies engagement in electoral course of, taking on management roles even in areas which a few of them had by no means been ruled by ladies.
Ms Akilimali was talking in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday in the course of the 2024 Women in Leadership Summit, which, amongst others, mirrored on the 30 years after the Beijing Conference.
“I am delighted that our forum is being held after the Local Government Election, where this year women were highly motivated to participate in the election process… despite the challenges, many women have secured leadership positions in some areas, where women attained chairperson positions in local government for the very first time since these roles were established,” she stated.
Ms Akilimali added: “This is something to be proud of and to celebrate, approximately 14 women from various parts of the country have secured the chairmanship positions”.
She stated this yr’s discussion board is guided by the theme: “Celebrate, Reflect and Envision for Beijing +30: Her Vision 2050,” saying there may also be the launch of a e book documenting the Beijing journey and the presentation of awards to encourage ladies who’ve excelled in varied roles.
Ms Akilimali referred to as upon ladies to make use of the discussion board to construct and strengthen networks and partnerships in advancing and solidifying the ladies’s agenda, to convey transformative adjustments to their lives as people and as a society normally.
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TGNP Executive Director, Ms Lilian Liundi stated that Tanzania has made vital strides 30 years after the Beijing Conference.
She stated as of January 2019, the nation ranked 2nd in East Africa with 36.9 per cent of parliamentary seats held by ladies.
“This achievement is not just a statistic; it is a reflection of our resilience and strength as women united in purpose. We have witnessed groundbreaking moments, our first female President Samia Suluhu Hassan and two powerful female speakers of the Parliament, Anne Makinda and Dr Tulia Ackson,” she stated.
Ms Liundi cited Mkunwa Ward through which within the simply concluded native authorities election virtually 50 per cent of hamlet chairpersons are ladies.
She stated the achievements have been made doable via the management mission which was being applied by TGNP within the space with assist from the UN Women.
She additional stated that regardless of the progress, the variety of ladies in native authorities continues to be low, noting that solely 6.5 per cent of ladies are councillors, including that after 2019 native authorities election ladies made solely 2. 1 per cent of elected village chairpersons, 6.7 per cent of elected hamlet chairpersons and 12.6 per cent of elected avenue chairpersons.
“These are very low numbers we have to do something, especially at the local government.”
She stated regardless of the milestone, there are nonetheless challenges through which ladies have to confront with unwavering braveness and dedication such because the boundaries they face, cultural biases, financial disparities and systemic discrimination.
“Together we can dismantle these obstacles and advocate for policies that empower women at all levels of decision making. Our voices are powerful tools for change. Let us envision a future where you and I lead with confidence in every sphere of life,” she stated.
She referred to as upon ladies to work in the direction of rising their participation in politics and management roles whereas fostering supportive surroundings that nurture their aspiration.
