Historic milestone for women’s leadership in Mtwara’s ward

The recent Local Government Election saw a remarkable rise in women contesting and winning various positions, marking a historic shift for a community that has long been dominated by male leadership. And if you think this is just a small victory, think again – this is the kind of transformation that echoes far beyond Mkunwa’s borders.

Mkunwa, nestled in Mtwara Rural, is home to six villages: Nachua, Miwindi, Kawawa, Nanyati, Mnyengedi, and Mkunwa itself. Historically, women have had little to no involvement in leadership positions here. But this year, the winds of change have blown through these villages, sweeping in a wave of female empowerment.

For the first time ever, Mkunwa Ward now boasts a female village chairperson, with seven women taking charge of hamlets and an impressive 70 women securing seats as village council members. That’s a lot of leadership power for a place that has never been governed by women before.

So, what sparked this momentous shift? According to Coletha Chiponde, Secretary of the Mkunwa Knowledge Centre (KC), it all comes down to education, empowerment, and a little bit of good old-fashioned inspiration.

Here, the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP), with support from UN Women, has played a pivotal role in educating women about leadership, building confidence, and inspiring them to step into political roles.

Elaborating, Ms Chiponde explained that the biggest barrier to female leadership in Mkunwa had been the deeply ingrained initiation ceremonies for girls – traditional practices that focused more on preparing them for marriage and motherhood than teaching them about leadership or economics.

But with the leadership training offered by TGNP, women have started to see themselves as more than just wives and mothers; they are leaders, change-makers, and role models.

As a mentor to many, Ms Chiponde worked tirelessly to visit women in their Village Community Banks (VICOBA) and other local social groups, encouraging them to believe in their potential. “It’s about showing them that leadership is not a man’s game,” she said. “It’s about strengthening unity among women and motivating them to step up.”

The impact of this mentorship is clear. Take Rukia Mnyachi, for example. Rukia made history as the first woman to be elected as Chairperson of Mnyengedi Village in Mkunwa Ward.

Before the leadership training, she, like many other women, was intimidated by the idea of running for office. “We were scared,” she admitted. “But after the training, we started organizing ourselves, planning who would run for what position.” With newfound confidence, Rukia contested the position of village chairperson against two men, including the outgoing chairman. Despite the challenges, including the widespread belief that a woman couldn’t lead, she emerged victorious. “The competition was tough,” she said, “but thanks to the training and the support from my fellow women, I won.”

Her victory has inspired many other women to follow suit. Rukia’s message to them is clear: “Stay strong, stay determined, and the chances of winning are high.” It’s this kind of bold, unwavering leadership that is setting the stage for even greater female participation in politics.

Speaking at the 2024 Women in Leadership Summit in Dar es Salaam, TGNP Board Chairperson Gemma Akilimali, praised the significant rise in women’s participation in the recent Local Government Election. “This is a cause for celebration,” she said. “We’ve seen women secure leadership positions in areas that, in the past, were completely off-limits to them.”

Indeed, the participation of women in leadership roles has reached new heights, with women securing chairperson positions in areas where they had never held office before. The results are a testament to the power of unity and collaboration among women. “Around 14 women have secured chairmanship positions across the country,” Akilimali noted. “This is a huge milestone that we can all be proud of.”

But while the celebration is well-deserved, there’s still work to be done. TGNP Executive Director, Lilian Liundi, reminded everyone that Tanzania still has a long way to go in terms of gender equality in local government. “Despite the strides we’ve made,” she said, “women still only hold about 6.5 per cent of councilor positions, and in 2019, only 2.1 per cent of elected village chairpersons were women.” The statistics may be discouraging, but Liundi is hopeful. “We have come a long way, and we will continue to push forward until women’s participation in politics is truly reflective of our population.”

Indeed, while Mkunwa’s achievements are groundbreaking, they are not the end of the road. There are still cultural biases, economic disparities, and systemic discrimination that women face in their pursuit of leadership. But with the help of organizations like TGNP and the continued support of women like Chiponde and Mnyachi, the future of female leadership in Tanzania is looking brighter by the day.

The recently concluded election has made history not only for Mkunwa Ward but for the entire country. Tanzanians went to the polls to elect leaders for village, street, and hamlet positions, and the results were staggering.

Out of the 12,280 village chairperson positions, nearly half were contested by women, with many emerging victorious. These elections marked a major shift in the political landscape, where women’s voices are becoming increasingly powerful.

But let’s not forget that leadership isn’t just about holding office; it’s about breaking down the barriers that have held women back for centuries. The women of Mkunwa Ward have shown us all that leadership is not a gendered trait – it’s a quality that resides in anyone, regardless of gender, who has the courage, passion, and vision to lead.

So, as we celebrate this historic milestone, let’s remember that women like Rukia Mnyachi and Coletha Chiponde are just the beginning. The success in Mkunwa Ward is a reflection of the ongoing fight for gender equality, and it’s a fight that’s only just begun. Let’s keep pushing for more women in leadership, because when women lead, we all rise.

In a nutshell, Mkunwa has set the stage for a future where women take their rightful place at the helm of leadership. With the continued support of TGNP, UN Women, and like-minded organizations, Tanzania is on the path to a more inclusive and representative political future. And while the road ahead may still have its challenges, the victory of women in Mkunwa proves that anything is possible with determination, unity, and a little bit of leadership training. The future is female – and Mkunwa is leading the way.