Tanzania

After intensive lobbying by a coalition of women's rights groups, gender equality is climbing the agenda in Tanzania at a key time.

When Anna Margareth Abdallah entered the Tanzanian parliament in 1975, she was one of only five female MPs. Today, she is one of 126 – more than a third of the total – and the first woman to chair the standing committee on defence and security.

Tanzania President Jakaya Kikwete has appointed two women to powerful cabinet positions as the country prepares to enact a new constitution.

 In a move seen by activists as a gesture to promote gender equality, Saada Mkuya becomes the new finance minister, succeeding William Mgimwa who died on New Year’s Day. Mkuya becomes the second woman to head the ministry; Zakia Meghji led it between 2006 and 2008.

ACTIVISTS under a coalition of women and constitution intend to camp at the Constituent Assembly when it commences next month, with a view to guarding their proposals already infused into the Katiba draft.

The move is also aimed at using the opportunity to persuade members of the Constituent Assembly to put in the draft issues they believe have been left out, but touch significantly on gender equality as a foundation for the country's progress.

WOMEN in the country are likely to win overwhelming voters' confidence in the coming General Elections if the findings of a recent survey are anything to go by.

MORE than fifty years after independence, Tanzania is embarking on a Constitutional Review process that will transform the way its people relate and live with each other and also the way the country is governed.

It is also an opportunity for the most discriminated and oppressed segment to spearhead the movement of 'social justice' and 'equality'; an opportunity to right the wrongs of the current state of affairs and to 'raise' the flags of Equality and Equal Rights high.

Zanzibar — WOMEN on Pemba Islands are eagerly waiting for any leadership opportunity to challenge men at any level. Many say the time of fear to compete with men in taking up leadership roles is over!

"We are no longer scared, we are no longer coward. We are ready to take leadership at any level," says Ms Mwanajuma Omar, 35, a housewife in Mjini-ole, north of Pemba. However, Mwanajuma says jealousy among men remains an obstacle to women wishing to get into leadership.