Samia graces ATE gala as number of women leaders skyrockets
DAR ES SALAAM: TANZANIA has seen a skyrocketing increase in number of women leaders produced by the Female Future Program from 36 graduates in 2015 to 110 women in 2024, bringing the total number of trained women to 493 in both the public and private sectors.
Officiated by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the occasion to mark the 10th anniversary of the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) and the Women in Leadership programme ( Female Future Program), held on Friday in Dar es Salaam it was revealed that there are also 150 Members of Parliament from Tanzania’s National Assembly and Zanzibar’s House of Representatives, who have also undergone the training, bringing the total number of trained women to 643.
Pleased by the success, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called on women leaders and graduates of the Female Future Program to take responsibility for fostering trust and peace in society, particularly regarding the empowerment of the girl child.
Speaking during the event, President Samia urged women to use their education and leadership skills to benefit their families and communities.
“Be catalysts for development in your communities. Your education and leadership skills should serve society, not disrupt families or negatively impact children. Those of you who have been fortunate enough to attain leadership roles, ensure that the society trusts and supports the girl child.”
She warned that neglecting family responsibilities in pursuit of leadership could have serious consequences.
“If we forget our duty to raise and nurture our children, we will face three major consequences. First, we will live with regret in old age because our children may have adopted inappropriate behaviors or have no time for us, just as we had no time for them. Second, they will become dependent and a burden to the nation. Third, it will set back government efforts to promote the role of the girl child in society,” President Samia noted.
President Samia also encouraged women to actively support and uplift other women within their institutions. She urged them to motivate more women to run for leadership positions in this election year.
“Empowered women empower others. Your role is to guide and support fellow women not through favoritism, but by mentoring and helping them rise. The more women in leadership, the stronger your collective influence,” she added.
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She further called on the graduates to work with professionalism, diligence, and integrity as the government continues its push for gender equality.
ATE Executive Director Adv Suzanne Ndomba highlighted the steady growth of the Female Future Program, noting that participation has increased from 36 women in 2015 to 110 graduates in 2024, bringing the total number of trained women to 493 across both the public and private sectors.
Additionally, she revealed that 150 Members of Parliament from Tanzania’s National Assembly and Zanzibar’s House of Representatives have also undergone the training, bringing the total number of trained women to 643.
She further explained that the program has significantly impacted leadership representation, with 102 women promoted to higher leadership positions, 56 appointed to boards, and 16 assuming leadership roles in various institutions.
“We have also initiated discussions with the Tanzania Police Force, and the Inspector General has approved this training for female officers. We are optimistic about their participation, “she noted.
On his part, Dr Peter Kihuruku, Executive Director of the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) among the key partners in the program affirmed that graduates are ready to lead and take on greater responsibilities in their organizations.
“We are satisfied that those who have gone through this programme in the past and now, are ready to lead in their organization, to assume higher responsibilities, and we are therefore pledging with their employers to continue developing through giving them additional responsibilities,” he said.
