Confidence and determination: Keys to women’s leadership

WOMEN should not be afraid to run for various leadership positions since, with strong resolve and self-confidence, the chances of winning are high, says Agnes Benedicto (48), who was elected street committee member for Mbopo Street in Mabwepande Ward, Dar es Salaam.

Ms Benedicto said that in her group, there were 44 contestants, half were women and the rest were men, all contesting for committee member positions.

She explained that during the nomination process at the street level, her name was among those endorsed by the party members to vie for the position.

“In our group, I secured 103 votes, but when our names were submitted to the higher decision-making level within my party (Chama Cha Mapinduzi), my name was again endorsed to run for the post. I thank God that all other procedures went well and I have been elected as a Mbopo Street committee member,” she pointed out.

“Women should not be afraid; they should dare to take action. What helped me win was courage and going through every step without giving up, she says. Ms Benedicto said women, should be firm and believe in themselves. “We must accept to be truthful and transparent in order to succeed in running for various leadership positions. Elections are tough, but they require enough courage,” she insisted.

She said that her quest for development motivated her to contest for the position. “Our street is still growing, but we lack important information from the local government. Many residents leave for work early in the morning and return late at night, so they are unaware of many issues happening in our area”.

Ms Benedicto added that in her street, there are elders who should benefit from the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), but sometimes they miss out on the opportunity.

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“I thought that if I could be in the street committee, I could speak up for them,” she said.

After winning the post, she plans to advocate for development in her street, particularly pushing for the renovation of roads, many of which are in poor condition.

“In our street, most of the roads are in bad shape and impassable during the rainy season. I will push for their renovations,” Ms Benedicto insisted.

She also said that resolving land disputes will be another priority.

“I plan to push for this issue by bringing both sides involved in the disputes together to find amicable solution,” she said.

On her part, Assistant Secretary from Mabwepande Knowledge Centre, Saiza Mwakanyamale, said that although a large number of women contested for various positions in the just-ended local government election, they still face challenges, including discouragement from the community.

Mabwepande KC is one of the community-based groups facilitated by the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP).

She noted that in Mabwepande Street, women came out in large numbers to contest for various positions in the recent local government elections. “Contrary to previous years, women responded positively in this year’s election,” she said.

“In the past, women were hesitant to contest for various posts due to lack of confidence. However, since we started providing education to women and youth groups about leadership, most of them gained confidence, that is why they came out in large numbers to contest in the local government election,” Ms Mwakanyamale explained.

She further detailed that in the leadership that just completed its term, only two women won positions through special seats.

However, in this year’s election, women also contested for other positions outside of special groups. Ms Mwakanyamale highlighted that Mabwepande KC has made a significant contribution in sensitising women to run for leadership positions.

Asha Saidi, a resident of Mji Mpya Street in Mabwepande Ward, said that in her area, women turned out in large numbers to vie for various positions.

“At first, we did not expect it, and even the youth came out in large numbers. Currently, the issue of elections is really capturing people’s attention, unlike in the past,” she said.

Analysis and Research Officer from the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP), Neema Mwaisela said that they closely followed the entire election process through their knowledge centres and observed that women turned out in large numbers to contest for various positions.

However, when it comes to chairmanship positions, the number is still very small. Women are mostly found in positions like committee members or contesting through special seats. She said that women must build confidence to vie for higher positions in local government, such as chairperson, and stand on their own without relying on anyone else.

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“According to our data, 67 per cent of women contested for various posts, though they face challenges such as leaders unwilling to relinquish power for their own interests and a lack of support from other women,” she said.

“I urge other women to step up and run for positions such as street or hamlet chairpersons. They should not wait to join through committee roles or special groups when they have the capability to contest for such positions,” she added.

Recently, Tanzanians casted their votes to elect village, street and hamlet leaders who will serve for the next five years. The positions contested in the election included 12,280 village chairperson positions, 4,264 street chairperson positions, 63,886 hamlet chairperson positions, 230,834 village council member positions and 21,320 street committee member positions.

The ruling Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) has dominated the local government elections, winning 99.01 per cent of the 12,150 village/ street chairperson positions across the country.

The landslide victory was followed by Chama cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (CHADEMA), which secured 97 seats, equivalent to 0.79 per cent.

Announcing the official results from the November 27, 2024, election, Minister of State in the President’s Office (Regional Administration and Local Government Mohamed Mchengerwa said that ACTWazalendo came third with 11 seats (0.09 per cent), while the Civic United Front (CUF) garnered 10 seats (0.08 per cent).