Africa-Press – Tanzania. VICE-President Dr Philip Mpango on Monday argued that in order to realize ‘Africa We Want Agenda’ the continent has to embrace equality in leadership and equal representation in politics and socio-economic matters.
He went on underscoring the importance for the African countries to continue taking steps in putting in place friendly policies and laws as well as introduce strategies that would enable them address all challenges impeding participation of women in leadership and decision-making bodies.
“Despite an increase of women in trade and jobs, still the African continent has low number of women representation in decision-making bodies,” he stated when opened preliminary virtual session for Member States of the African Union for discussing issues of gender equality.
The meeting had a theme: “Strengthening women access to opportunities in leadership and decision-making bodies to realize the ‘Africa We Want Agenda’.
Dr Mpango opened the virtual meeting on behalf of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
He said women made huge contribution to liberation of African continent and continued contributing immensely even after independence.
The VP stated the government was aware that gender parity and women economic empowerment was key pillar in attaining the sustainable development for any society.
That was why the government was entering national, regional and international conventions meant to strengthen gender equality, to empower women economically and build capacity of the group in leadership and to take part in decision making organs in all development sectors.
He said Tanzania continues to implement its pledges it gave during the Generation Equality Forum which intend to strengthen and protect economic rights for women.
In recognizing that education is main foundation for attaining targets of women participation in economic, social and political matters, the government has since 2016 introduced free education policy and encouraging girls to pursue science subjects by putting in place infrastructures for facilitating the including constructing special schools for science subjects in every region.
He further said the government has also removed obstacles for women to own land in the country as well as enabling them to access loans easily from financial institutions and from councils.
The opening session of the meeting was attended by top leaders of Member States of the African Union, representatives of the UN orgnsations and Non-governmental organisations.
The meeting was part of preparations for the forthcoming Assembly of Heads of State of the AU Member countries.
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