DODOMA: NYAMAO Daniel, a 26-year-old woman from Dodoma’s Mpwayungu Chamwino, is defying expectations and carving a path to leadership in a traditionally male-dominated society.
Growing up in a family of ten siblings, Nyamao faced numerous challenges but never lost sight of her dreams.
Despite limited educational opportunities in her rural community, Nyamao’s determination to succeed propelled her to complete her secondary education. Undeterred by the lack of support for higher education, she turned her attention to volunteering and social work.
“I really wanted to study further, but unfortunately, no one cared about education except me,” Nyamao reflects, her voice carrying the weight of her experiences. She adds “In our family, most of my siblings only completed primary school, and it was hard to make it because it needed me to sometimes, going to sell some stuff so that I could buy some school supplies.” After completing her secondary education, Nyamao faced another setback, she says she was unable to continue to advanced studies.
Instead, she channelled her energy into volunteering and social work, striving to uplift her community. Despite societal pressures to conform to traditional gender roles, Nyamao found strength in her vision of becoming a leader.
“What drives me forward, despite the setbacks, is the vision I have in my head. I see myself as a leader who can bring about change in the community,” she asserts with determination.
Nyamao’s commitment to social change has manifested through her involvement in various rural projects focused on empowering women politically and economically.
Recently, Nyamao attended Gender Festival organized by the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) in Kondoa District. Her participation marked a significant milestone in her journey, as she explicitly exhibited her passion for leadership. Her eagerness was evident through her confident voice during the TNGP open discussion.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank TGNP for hosting the event,” Nyamao shared with enthusiasm.
“My three days there were incredibly impactful.” She expressed her optimism towards supporting women who aspire to be leaders ahead of the upcoming local government elections in November. Nyamao says it’s not that women lack confidence to vie for posts but in rural areas there are still some setbacks that hinder women to excel in the political arena.
Nyamao highlighted the pervasive issue of sexual bribery in her community, particularly targeting women who aspire to leadership positions. She explained that despite their qualifications, women are often subjected to sexual demands in exchange for support, revealing a troubling reality that many women face.
She expressed her determination in continuing engaging in every activity and leadership seminar to gain knowledge, build confidence and experience sharing so as prepare for her future but also advocacy and uplifting her society including ending corruption through enlightening women.
Her aspirations extend beyond advocacy, she dreams of leading her community and serving her fellow Tanzanians.
“I have always wanted to be a leader in various capacities, and I envision myself making a significant impact. God willing, I hope to become a leader one day,” she reveals, her ambition shining through. She believes that everyone has a purpose and a dream, and she is determined to be given the opportunity to fulfil hers.
“I am motivated to uplift other women and ensure I work with integrity while opposing all issues that hinder our community, especially genderbased violence and child marriages,” she said.
Nyamao encouraged all girls to speak out about issues affecting them, especially in the political arena, to ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes.
She said that a lack of formal education should not hinder their dreams and that courage and a willingness to learn through all means available out there.