Women urged to follow Samia’s footsteps

DODOMA: FORMER National Assembly Speaker, Ms Anne Makinda has urged women to follow President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s footsteps, as the government has already taken various measures to ensure women actively participate in contesting various positions.

Ms Makinda was addressing women who attended the Women’s Forum ahead of International Women’s Day for the Central Zone regions at the Jakaya Kikwete Convention Centre in Dodoma.

“The government, through President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has emphasised women’s participation in leadership positions. These efforts stem from the President’s commitment to ensuring that women are given the opportunity to contest leadership roles in government while addressing their challenges,” said Ms Makinda, who previously served as the Njombe MP.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, responsible for Special Groups, Amon Mpanju, said that this year’s celebrations will align with the 30- year review of the Beijing Declaration.

Advocate Mpanju insisted that women will strategise on achieving equal development opportunities for themselves and society as a whole.

For her side, Dodoma Regional Commissioner Ms Rosemary Senyamule commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for being a catalyst for women’s empowerment, enabling them to take pride in their achievements.

She also shared statistics on women leaders in her region, highlighting their increasing participation.

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The forum, which precedes the culmination of International Women’s Day celebrations on March 8, 2025, set to be held in Arusha, focused on several key topics, including how higher education institutions support female students in leadership roles, strategies to combat sexual harassment in the workplace, economic empowerment for women and the fight against gender-based violence.

The Central Zone Women’s Forum brought together participants from Singida, Dodoma and Iringa regions under the theme, “Women and Girls 2025: Strengthening Rights, Equality and Empowerment.”

The forum’s main discussion focused on “Women and Leadership in 30 Years of the Beijing Declaration.”