AfricaPress-Tanzania: WOMEN in leadership were on Sunday challenged to prove their competence by exemplary performance to pave way for appointment of more females.
Secretary of the Revolutionary Council and Chief Secretary Eng Zena Ahmed Said told women to exercise justice in the positions bestowed to them.
She described an effective participation of women in all leadership levels as the panacea to a myriad of social and economic problems haunting Zanzibar, reaffirming the government commitment to uplift women.
“There are still many challenges that impede the struggles of women…but the government will never be one of those impediments,” Eng Zena said at the launch of Women Democratic and Political Participation Manual at Sheikh Idrisa Abdul-Wakil hall.
“If we (women with leadership positions) deliver to the public expectations, we will inspire even the appointing authorities to pick more women into political and executive posts,” the chief secretary said, decrying the reigning patriarchy system.
Eng Zena, however, condemned the unbecoming trend of generalising all women as failure if one woman happens to error.
“The mistake committed by one woman is hers; it’s personal and doesn’t represent all women. We have seen many men also failing, but there is no generalisation,” she said.
However, she implored gender activists to increase efforts in enlightening the society on the importance of gender balance for the development of the country both socially and economically.
Giving her experience in leadership, former Minister of Trade and Industries Ambassador Amina Salum Ali said Zanzibar still has a long way to go in achieving the envisaged 50/50 ratio in leadership.
“And, economically we are even worse…we have to pull up our socks to increase our stake, economically,” Ambassador Amina argued. She challenged parents to give equal opportunities in the upbringing of all children irrespective of their gender.
Ambassador Amina, who stands as the pioneer of women in Zanzibar presidential race, warned against successful women perceiving aggressive young girls as their competitors.
“Let’s take it as our obligation to groom the aspiring young female politicians…they are our potential successors; not competitors,” Ambassador Amina said.
Appointed Member of the House of Representatives Saada Mkuya Salum said women need educational capacity to dismantle the dominant patriarchy system in the society, saying: “We, women, are not demanding dominance over men…no, we are just demanding gender equality.”
Tanzania Media Women’s Association, Zanzibar (TAMWA, ZNZ) Director Dr Mzuri Issa said the manual will help to promote women participation in democratic process and leadership across sectors in both Unguja and Pemba.
TAMWA, ZNZ has partnered with Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZAFELA) and Pemba Environmental, Gender and Advocacy Organisation (PEGAO) in the manual write up. The three-year project targets 6,000 women.
The initiative, which targets 6,000 women, intends to increase the number of women in decision making bodies across sectors—politics, economy and social—from this year to the next general election in 2025.
