Mwinyi hails women role in strengthening Union

DAR ES SALAAM: ZANZIBAR President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi has said women have had a great contribution in the formation of the historical Union between Tanganyika and Zanzibar, and were still playing a key role in making it stronger.

Dr Mwinyi said this when he officiated at a forum on ‘the development of women after six decades of Union,’ organised by the ruling party CCM Women Wing (Umoja wa Wanawake Tanzania- UWT) in Dar es Salaam.

Dr Mwinyi praised UWT for its committed leadership in designing and implementation of various programmes aimed at strengthening CCM and uniting its members and Tanzanians in general, for them to continue enjoying fruits of the Union.

“It is obvious that when we evaluate the success of the 60 years of our Union, considering where we came from, where we are and where we are going, the contribution of women is clearly identified,” he said noting history mentions various women who participated in the struggle for the freedom of Tanganyika and the Revolution of Zanzibar.

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In addition, Dr Mwinyi said that women had a great contribution in achieving the Union, mentioning some of them as Bibi Titi Mohamed, Ms Liti Kidanka, Ms Mwami Thelesa, Ms Mwana Makuka, Ms Siti binti Saad, Ms Fatma Amour and Ms Lucy Lameck.

Others are Ms Mtumwa Kitete, Ms Tatu Mzee, Ms Khadija Jabiri, Ms Maryam Mohamed, Ms Tumwa Fikirini, Ms Salama Mzee, Ms Sofia Kawawa, Mama Maria Nyerere, and Mama Fatma Karume among many others.

“There are good examples of women who contributed to the Union. As we celebrate 60 years since the Union was formed, we cannot forget their contributions. In addition, they are among many others who held various leadership positions in our country and remain as role models,” Dr Mwinyi said.

He said that the current women leaders under President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan-the Commander-inChief of the Defence and Security Forces and the National Chairperson of CCM, were following their steps.

“We are all satisfied with her exemplary leadership, which has brought praise to our country and enabled us to make great progress in all sectors in the short period of her leadership,” said Dr Mwinyi.

Dr Mwinyi also explained that the good intention of the founders of the nation Mwalimu Julius Nyerere and Abeid Amani Karume to unite the two countries has been embraced by current leaders in both sides of the Union, maintaining, and strengthening it and by finding solutions to the challenges that emerge to make it stronger.

The gathering of the enthusiastic women provided an opportunity for Dr Mwinyi to encourage CCM members to fully take part in the upcoming Local Government Elections slated for later this year as well as next year’s General Elections. “Please prepare to fully participate and contest in the upcoming elections,” Dr Mwinyi called.

He emphasised that this is the time for women to get motivated and show-up in big numbers to run for various positions in both elections.

UWT National Chairperson Ms Mary Chatanda thanked both Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan and Dr Mwinyi for the good leadership and promoting women, which include appointments to different positions and opening up more opportunities for them to access loans.

Ms Chatanda said the history of women regarding the struggle for independence and later the formation of the United Republic of Tanzania is good, and that women, particularly the young ones have been motivated to contest in elections and also campaign for CCM to win and remain in power.