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Strive for self-reliance, women told
2006-03-08 07:57:04
By Angel Navuri
As the world celebrates International Women’s Day today, womenfolk have been challenged to mark the occasion by reflecting on their participation in development and strive to effect social change in the society.
Deputy Minister for Planning Economy and Empowerment, Salome Mbatia said in a telephone interview that this should be a day which reminds women what they have not achieved and strive to enhance development.
She appealed to women to participate in decision making to support the theme of this year dubbed ’Women in decision- making, gender equality and poverty reduction.’
’In order to bring changes, women should be ready to participate in various levels of decision making, starting from family level. They should also make use of the opportunities availed to them by the government,’ said Mbatia.
Deputy Minister for Community Gender and Children, Batilda Burian was emphatic that Tanzania needs to include many women in levels of decision-making in order to reach 50 per cent by 2010 as stipulated in the CCM election Manifesto of 2005, and African Union (AU) and South African Development Community (SADC) declarations.
The minister was, however, optimistic that during last year’s general elections women participation had dramatically increased.
Consequently, she observed that women representation in parliament now stood at 97, equal to 30 per cent of all the MPs in the national assembly.
This was up to 17 from 12 in 2000. But in the cabinet of ministers, women comprised 20 per cent, for full ministers and 32 percent for deputy ministers.
”More strategies are needed to ensure that Tanzania reach the 50 per cent target by 2010” said Burian.
Meanwhile, Tanzania Gender Networking Programme Executive Director (TGNP), Mary Rusimbi lamented that Gender discrimination was rife and attributed it to repugnant traditions preventing rural women from participating in many society activities.
She explained that women in rural areas should also be given a chance to participate in various social-economic activities in the society.
’Both rural and urban women should work closely and share knowledge and experience in various income generating activities. This co-operation will motivate and sensitise rural women to participate effectively and efficiently in administration and economic activities,’ said Rusimbi.
’Women leaders should be visited frequently in rural areas in order to hear their problems of, ’ TGNP Administrator of Finance, Anna Kikwa said.
Angelina Masanja, a resident of Makumbusho in Dar es Salaam said women were highly discriminated, particularly in the decision making at the family level.
’As we celebrate this day, let’s set strategies that would make women participate in decision making, starting from family to national level,’ she appealed.
However, at the same time, she appealed to all women accorded positions in the government to prove that they were capable of handling senior positions in society and delivering as well.
On her part, Safina Tenga, a resident of Kijitonyama said that women should strive for self-reliance and avoid dependence on men.
’Lets make the International Women’s Day meaningful,’ said Tenga.
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