THRDC honours role of women in human rights advocacy

DAR ES SALAAM: The National Coordinator of the Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Advocate Onesmo Olengurumwa said the country’s recognition of women’s contribution to human rights advocacy has been merely for employment and urged them to pursue the work as a calling.

Speaking to reporters in Dar es Salaam, Olengurumwa mentioned prominent women such as Getrude Mongela, Mary Lusimbi, and Anna Tibaijuka as examples of women who truly dedicated themselves to defending human rights.

According to Olengurumwa, modern-day human rights defenders, especially women, lack patience in their work and do not collaborate as the women of the past did. He explained that in the past, women used to meet and discuss national agendas together, but now, each person works independently.

“Today’s defenders treat advocacy as a job. They lack patience, and each one fights alone. Those advocating for children’s rights have their own agenda, and those advocating for women’s rights have theirs. In the past, our mothers discussed women’s issues, children’s rights, democracy, land, and the economy together, which helped strengthen human rights advocacy,” Olengurumwa said.

As the world approaches International Women’s Day, Olengurumwa highlighted the significant role women played in Tanzania’s independence struggle. He mentioned women such as Bibi Titi Mohamed, who supported Mwalimu Julius Nyerere in educating the public about the importance of independence without war.

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“Women led the liberation struggle of our nation. For example, Bibi Titi led mobilization meetings in collaboration with Mwalimu Nyerere to educate the public about the importance of independence. However, history has not emphasized the contribution of women in defending human rights,” he said.

Olengurumwa emphasized that if women are given opportunities that are often blocked by systems and history, they can be significant contributors to the nation’s development.

He cited the 1995 Beijing Conference, where many Tanzanian women participated and put forward 12 resolutions advocating for human rights, particularly women’s rights.

Furthermore, Olengurumwa called on human rights defenders, especially women, to return to the principles of solidarity rather than pursuing personal interests.

“Human rights defenders should work in unity, not for personal gain. If someone is seeking employment and a good salary, then they should work in a bank or another sector,” Olengurumwa concluded.