Women with disability trained ahead of poll
DAR ES SALAAM: THE Tanzania Women Cross-Party Platform (T-WCP/ULINGO), supported by the UN Women Trust Fund, has conducted a one-day training session to empower women with disabilities from various political parties in preparation for the upcoming General Election.
The training, held this week in Dar es Salaam, aimed to equip participants with leadership skills and strengthen their influence within political parties to secure greater inclusion in leadership positions.
Dr Ave Maria Semakafu, Coordinator of T-WCP/ULINGO, explained the platform’s core objective: “This training has been designed to improve leadership, political participation and accountability among women with disabilities within political parties and electoral bodies.”
She stressed that while government and stakeholders have worked to increase women’s political participation, persistent social barriers continue to hinder progress.
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“Through this training, women will learn about their constitutional rights, strengthen their leadership and communication skills, build networks and understand how to use the media and accountability mechanisms to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process,” Dr Semakafu added.
Participants praised the timely initiative. Regina Mbaji, a physically disabled CCM member who participated in this year’s local government elections in Kibaha, Coast Region, called for intensified efforts to change societal perceptions of women with disabilities.
Similarly, Sarah Katanga, a Councillorship candidate for CHAUMMA in Mzinga Ward, Ilala District, who lives with albinism, said the training enables women to fully exercise their democratic rights in the upcoming elections.
