Source: Tanzania Daily News
Little known young politician Fatma Omar Haji has ambition to become a president one day. "I know it isn't all that simple, but I am motivated. I believe I can, and we want playing ground levelled," says Haji.
The future politician revealed her ambition during a discussion on 'women participation in elections' organised by the Tanzania Media Women's Association (TAMWA) with support from UN Women.
Women who attended the gathering held here said the discussion had motivated them as they planned to contest and challenge men in the forthcoming general elections scheduled for October 25 this year.
Registered voters would elect councillors, House of Representatives and Members of Parliament (MP) for Union National Assembly.
Zanzibar has 141 wards for councillors and 50 constituencies, which may increase after the boundary review process. It is a turning point for Zanzibar women who, compared to their counterparts in Mainland, still hesitate to enter politics.
Economic challenges, masculine dominance, religious restrictions, and lack of courage are to blame for women's shyness to participate in politics. Women leaders from different political parties attended the discussion to encourage participation in elections.
Representatives from the ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi, Civic United Front, CHADEMA, ADC, TLP, NCCR, TADEA and Zanzibar Youth Forum took part in the discussion.
Women from CUF, CHADEMA, and CCM stressed the need for political parties and the electoral commissions of both Zanzibar and Mainland to encourage women to contest in the next elections.
"This is our year, let's take part in the elections," Janet Bernard Fusi of CHADEMA said as she discouraged women against concentrating on special seats.
She challenged women that in the past they had been good in campaigning for male candidates "but not yourselves". Fat-hiya Zahran Salum of CUF said that women should take part in elections and also campaign for women candidates.
Wanu Hafidh Ameir, a Member of the House of Representatives (Special seats), said women have been facing many challenges in elections including lack of funds to compete with men.
Ms Salama Aboud from CCM said women should encourage themselves to take part in elections, and that the proposed constitution provides big opportunity for women, should it be approved by the people in the referendum.
Mzuri Issa, the Zanzibar TAMWA coordinator, said "we want women and the disabled to wake up and contest in the elections without fear." Africa Union Ambassador to the United Nations, Amina Salum Ali, has declared her intention as a presidential candidates. "I am just waiting my party (CCM) to announce the procedure.
I will vie for the presidency in this year's elections," she declared. Ali became the permanent representative of the AU to the United Nations on April 13, 2007, two years after she lost in party nominations for the Zanzibar presidency in 2000.
"I am determined to increase women voices in Tanzania in the decision- making process in government. We should also encourage women to contest in next elections," said Ali.
Ms Ali was a longserving Member of Parliament and held various ministerial positions in the Tanzanian government. Women's participation in political life - as voters, candidates, and leaders will help to ensure that their grievances are heard and interests are secured in the long term.
Sheikha Haji Dau, UN Women project coordinator, says empowering women as political actors can help influence government policy and help make institutions more representative of a range of voices.
She says that empowering women in politics and society can improve the prospects for a sustainable political environment as the basis for long-term development.
Most women still lack access to education and remain homebound due to cultural-religious restrictions. Men remain the decision-makers and decide whether women can participate in political life.