15 minute read
2. The Realities Of Wpp
from Tanzania Policy
by Forum for African Women Educationalists | Forum des éducatrices africaines (FAWE)
4.RECOMMENDATIONS
(ix) Limited specific CSOs for Persons with disabilities: There are few or almost no CSOs established to deal with the participation of women with disabilities in politics in Tanzania. This has made it difficult for some women with disabilities to get financial and capacity-building assistance pre, during and post-election that could enable them efficiently and effectively engage in politics and serve in the responsible posts when elected or appointed.
4� RECOMMENDATIONS
The CSO initiatives, including the FAWE project, are essential to all aspects and stages of WPP – from nurturing the desire for women to run for political office, readiness to vote, running successful election campaigns and performing the leadership role once elected. The assessment for this policy brief has illustrated the critical ways CSOs have supported WPP in Tanzania and the gaps that still exist. Notably, WPP and CSOs operate in the real world, whose outlook is driven by the prevailing social, economic and political interests with implications on all spheres of life. As women’s political interests increase, so does the need for tangible, meaningful and long-term support to WPP. Below are some key recommendations for FAWE and other CSOs supporting WPP.
(i) Document the needs of WPP and provide targeted support: The current approach of some CSOs and partners developing and funding programs without contextualizing the needs of the voters and women politicians needs urgent redress. An assessment of the needs and requirements of the different leaders and communities should be conducted to inform the agenda for WPP. There is a repertoire of secondary data online that could be augmented with targeted assessments (including the situational analysis undertaken by FAWE) to set the agenda for WPP.
(ii) Take leadership in the knowledge arena: CSOs (including caucuses and development partners supporting WPP) should take leadership in shaping people’s perceptions towards WPP. For instance, FAWE could work with partners to organise regular meetings to develop a common agenda for WPP in the country. In addition, instead of giving direct support to aspirants, CSOs and development partners should focus on the electorate – the people that tend to perceive WPP negatively. They could, for instance, support civic education with a consistent message that “women can lead and good turn up of women voters in elections is vital for WPP.” (iii) Innovative financing strategy: FAWE should work with partners interested in WPP in Tanzania to look at the best ways to raise funds to enable women to participate fully and freely in politics. Several meetings with heads of such partner organisations may be useful. A good example is TACCEO, an umbrella of 162 organizations for TEMCO and 17 organization members.
(iv) Partner with political parties: Although political parties have their challenges, they are still the essential vehicles women use to ascend into political office. FAWE and other CSOs should petition the parties to dedicate resources for women candidates and give women concessions and/or implement the concessions provided for in their manifestos. There should be special support for women with disabilities.
(v) Democratize and institutionalize engagement with the media: FAWE could liaise with Tanzania National Assembly and local authorities (both urban and district), Media Council of Tanzania (MCT) and other CSOs to develop content for training women political leaders on the role of the media.
There should be continuous training of journalists on the role of women as political leaders so that they can promote the role of women in leadership. This would ensure that women politicians understand how to weave their agendas around the operations of the media. Media houses could be helped to develop specific policy guidelines on gender-sensitive language, especially when covering women politicians.
(vi) Development of a training manual: FAWE, in partnership with other CSOs and partners in WPP for Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar, could explore the possibility of preparing a training manual on the enforcement of women rights on political issues across the United Republic and at all levels of political office. This manual could be used to induct new women entrants into parliament at the national and subnational levels.
(vii) Conduct an impact assessment: FAWE could conduct an impact assessment as to what extent the CSOs and other partners in WPP have effectively discharged their duties in Tanzania in collaboration with TEMCO and ZEMCO, as well as the LHRC and TAMWA Zanzibar, followed by a symposium between the Women Parliamentarians from Tanzania Mainland and those of Zanzibar, intending to generate a document to better position WPP. (viii) Conduct further research: FAWE should conduct further research on the powers of the Registrar of Organization over the SCO1 and other organizations promoting and advocating women rights, including WPP.
FAWE could find ways to fund people who want to associate and form CSOs specifically meant for women with disabilities so that they may be able to join and make progress in politics and participation therein. Women in Law and Development in Africa (WiLDAF)-Tanzania is an example of an organization that addresses women issues. Some of the issues they address are;
• Access to justice among women and girls. • Advocacy for the enactment of gender-sensitive policies and laws. • Scale-up awareness of women rights to reduce violence against women and children. • Women participation in decision making and economic empowerment. • Women access to health services. • Institutional strengthening.
This organization could be supported to address issues related to women with disabilities in the political space.
REFERENCES
[1]. LHRC & TACCEO (2015), Media Election Monitoring Report of 2015.
[2]. https://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/eastern-and-southern africa/tanzania/womens-leadership-and-political-participation Accessed on 10th January 2021
[3]. 2014 – 2017 EU Country Roadmap for Engagement with Civil Society.
[4]. https://www.icnl.org/resources/research/ijnl/strengthening-civil-society-in-the south-challenges-and-constraints-a-case-study-of-Tanzania Accessed on 10th January 2021
POLICY BRIEF 3: 3
1� WOMEN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN TANZANIA’S POLITICS
For the first time in the history of Tanzania, in 2015, Tanzania got its first woman Vice-President Hon. Samia Sululu Hassan. Upon the demise of President Magufuli, Her Excellency was sworn into office on 19th March 2021 as the First Female President of Tanzania since independence. History is now recorded in Tanzania.
However, women in Tanzania continue to be discriminated against, segregated and underrepresented in political, social and economic development. Studies undertaken by various scholars have shown that empowering women is a critical factor in freeing them from the cycle of poverty. Patriarchy has influenced the low participation of women in politics.
Participants brainstormed during the WPP situational analysis and policy brief validation meeting at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, in March 2021.
Photo credit: FAWE RS/Emily Buyaki The parliamentary culture does not support the gender agenda in house activities. Although women have made a difference by navigating the waters of parliament that have been maledominated over the years, women legislators in house committees are minimal due to the proportionately smaller numbers of women in the house. It has been opined that it may be necessary to introduce a 30 per cent rule in the leadership of house committees to increase the number of women serving in various committees.
As women overcome barriers getting into active politics, they continue to face discrimination at different levels. In some instances, these encounters make their contribution in parliament and outside parliament challenging. Therefore, the focus of this policy brief is to assess the impact of women in politics in Tanzania.
2� REFORMS BROUGHT ABOUT BY WOMEN IN POLITICS
Between 2004 and 2021, there has been a significant increase of women in decisionmaking positions, but more still needs to be done. The physical presence of more significant numbers of women in parliament has meant that the voices for gender equality have grown stronger:
i. The synergistic effects have resulted in a diversity of experiences and skills, which in turn have led to greater efficiency;
ii. The Women’s Parliamentary Caucus has also emerged as a strong link to civil society, especially when advocating for the enactment of gender-sensitive laws;
iii. The Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG)has enabled access to parliamentarians through the organization of seminars, workshops and other forums to dialogue on different issues relating to women, children, special interest groups and other social and economic development issues; and
iv. the increased number of women in parliament is translating into positions of leadership. Notably, the former Speaker of the National Assembly was a woman who headed two standing committees. Women parliamentarians head four other standing committees, which implies that women head six of 17 standing committees. These are significant achievements that could change traditional attitudes about women’s credibility as leaders in the public sphere.
The impact of women participation in decisionmaking is classified in the following categories as articulated by the assessment participants:
i. Women’s entry as MPs leads to appointments in other leadership positions, e.g. as leaders at the national, regional and international levels;
ii. Women’s role in the legislative process;
iii.Women’s contribution towards growing a strong women movement and acceptance of women leadership in communities; and
iv. Women’s role in influencing public policy and participation.
Hon. Gertrude Mongella
Photo credits: UN Photo/Evan Schneide (i) Women’s entry as MPs leads to appointments to other leadership positions as ministers and other regional and international positions. The available literature on women’s participation in political leadership revolves around the barriers limiting women access to political spaces. However, Tanzania has women who have achieved significant responsibilities and shaped the gender debate at the national, regional and international levels.
Hon. Gertrude Mongella is a household name in Tanzania, Africa and Internationally. She rose from a college tutor to become an MP in the 1970s, became a High Commissioner of Tanzania to India, and became the first President of the Pan African Parliament. She is fondly referred to as Mama Beijing. In 1995, during the famous Beijing Platform of Action, she was the Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women. In a media interview when she celebrated her 75th Birthday, she had this to say: “My participation in UN issues and events gave me the exposure to the world and shaped my views on women leadership in Tanzania and Africa.”
Hon. Mongella’s participation has profoundly impacted women in Tanzania and Africa. She is known as an educator, a defender, a politician and a diplomat. Her political career stemmed from her service in the office of the Prime Minister before she became an MP. She also served in the East African Legislative Assembly. She is highly committed to the political integration of women in Africa and championing the strong involvement of women in political leadership. She also served as a Minister of Lands, Tourism and Natural Resources and Office of the President, without a portfolio.
Another high-ranking Tanzanian woman is Hon. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka. She served as a Minister of Lands, Housing and Human Settlement Development from 2010-2014. She was also a former Under Secretary of the United Nations and Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), the second-highest ranking African woman in the UN system until she resigned to run for political office.
Tanzania has other courageous women rewarded for their work in political leadership. For example, Hon. Anne Lilango Malecela (MP) was awarded the Honour of Courage Award in 2009 by the US Embassy to Tanzania. The award was for her courage and leadership in the struggle to improve the lives of Tanzanians when she challenged party leadership to confront the question of corruption, despite the threats posed on her life. In accepting the award, she said every woman in Tanzania has leadership talents, whether in politics, business, or raising children.
Hon. Dr Asha-Rose Mtegeti Migiro, a lawyer, is another female politician in Tanzania, who served as a Ward Member of Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) from 19942000 and as a member of a Regional Executive Council, Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children’s Affairs, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and later became the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Hon. Migiro has served at the international level as the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations (2007-2012).
President Samia Suluhu Hassan has recently appointed veteran diplomat Liberata Mulamula as the new Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, replacing Professor Palamagamba Kabudi. Ms. Mulamula, a seasoned diplomat, was the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry before her new appointment. She has also served as Tanzania’s ambassador to the United States and was the first Executive Secretary of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) [2]. She became the 16th Foreign Affairs Minister and only the second woman to serve in that position after Dr Asha-Rose Migiro, who was at the helm between January 2006 and January 11, 2007. Ambassador Mulamula is a skilled career diplomat with 35 years of experience. She is now tasked to head Tanzania’s diplomacy, given her vast experience working in foreign missions. Before her retirement in April 2016, Ms Mulamula’s other senior posts included the Executive Ministerial post of Permanent Secretary of the Tanzania Ministry of Foreign Affairs (May to December 2015).
Another prominent politician in Tanzania is Ummy Ally Mwalimu (born 5 September 1973). She belongs to the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) party. She currently serves as the Minister in the President’s Office Regional Administration and Local Government. Before this post, she served as the Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment) in the Cabinet of Tanzania. She is a fourth-term Member of Parliament, firstly appointed to a seat reserved for women in the parliament of Tanzania in 2010. In President Jakaya Kikwete’s administration, she served in a succession of ministerial roles. Between 2010 and 2014, she was Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children. She also served as Deputy Minister in the Vice President’s Office and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. In 2015, the newly elected President John Magufuli appointed Mwalimu as Minister for Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children. The examples provided here demonstrate that women’s entry into politics prepares them for more prominent national, regional, and global appointments.
(ii) Women’s role in the legislative process Notably, women have rendered their services in different spheres, including championing democracy; fighting against gender-based violence (GBV); policy reforms and local level governance, as briefly outlined below.
Championing Democracy. When H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan served as vice president, her focus was on promoting democracy, the rule of law, and transparent and fair elections. She opined that: “Democracy, the rule of law and human rights are today key precepts that are close to the development. Our countries’ political, social, and economic governance and blocs would be ideally affected negatively if we ignore these universally agreed principles. It is important that we in the region and continent, for that matter, strive to enhance and strengthen good governance through the institutionalization of accountability and participatory democracy.” She also played a critical role in negotiating the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance adopted in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in January 2007 and commenced the agenda to have Tanzania sign and ratify the African Charter on Democracy.
Introduction of Policies to abolish Gender-Based Violence. To make the markets in Dar es Salaam free from gender-based discrimination that prevented women traders from reaching their economic potential, H.E. Samia Suluhu Hassan led a campaign in collaboration with the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women. Since 2015, over 5,600 women market traders have participated in awareness sessions on the prevention of sexual harassment, domestic and economic violence. Over 600 women have received support and legal advice from market paralegals. This type of support and awareness also impacted women’s participation in politics as there was confidence instilled in women interested in politics but felt intimidated by issues of gender-based violence and harassment.
The UN Women Executive Director Mlambo-Ngcuka once stated: “I am very moved to see you fighting for your freedom, for your empowerment, to manage your money, to stop violence and to stand for office and become Councilors and Chairpersons in the markets. This is the way it is supposed to be. When women work together, they can solve together their shared problems. I am also touched to hear each of you today express concern about the other, and you want this initiative to go beyond because you don’t want this just for yourself. You want it for your sisters.” A second group that played a crucial role in advocacy against GBV is the Tanzanian Women’s Council (BAWATA), formed in 1995 by the ruling party’s women’s wing, Umoja wa Wanawake wa Tanzania (UWT). BAWATA’s leadership envisioned a broad-based autonomous organization that was to push for women’s advancement on several fronts, including strengthening women’s political leadership, pushing for legislative change and conducting civic education.
It claimed membership of 150,000 in 3,000 groups, although its actual strength at the grassroots level is disputed. BAWATA became involved in policy advocacy on issues such as violence against women, sexual abuse of children, improved social services delivery, inheritance laws, land ownership and girls’ access to education.
The Gender Land Task Force (GLTF): A Land Bill draft in August 1996 was issued, which marginalised the interests of women in the 1995 Land Policy. This Land Policy was to be enacted into law by the end of 1997. In reaction, women organizations and groups met and formed the Gender Land Task Force (GLTF), which was to lead the women’s struggle for their rights to be included in the land law and closely monitor the implementation of the recommendations from the workshop to increase the chances of them being included in the final draft of the Land Bill and subsequently in the Land Act. The group successfully contested women’s rights in the land law.
