ZANZIBAR: WOMEN’S rights activists, led by the Tanzania Media Women Association in Zanzibar (TAMWA-ZNZ), have relaunched the campaign for gender parity in leadership by introducing a new “Gender Policy and Gender Desk Framework” aimed at political parties nationwide.
The initiative, developed by TAMWAZNZ in collaboration with the Zanzibar Female Lawyers Association (ZAFELA), Pemba Environment and Gender Advocacy Organization (PEGAO) and the Association of Women with Disabilities Zanzibar (JUWAUZA), seeks to promote gender equality and empower women to take leadership roles as political parties prepare for the 2025 general elections.
At the launch event at the ZURA building, Dr Mzuri Issa Ali, Director of TAMWAZNZ, emphasised that the proposed policy and gender desk guidelines should be adopted by all political parties as essential tools to promote gender equality and provide opportunities for women to run for leadership positions.
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“The gender equality policy and guidelines aim to level the playing field by removing all barriers to women’s participation in politics,” said Dr Mzuri.
The launch, held as part of the 16 Days of Activism, was attended by representatives from political parties, including ACT-Wazalendo, NCCR-Mageuzi and CUF. These representatives praised TAMWA-ZNZ and its partners for their efforts and committed to implementing the new tools within their respective parties.
Ms Halima Ibrahim from ACT-Wazalendo shared that her party had already begun using the new policy and highlighted how the “Strengthen Women in Leadership” (SWIL) project, supported by the Embassy of Norway in Tanzania, had helped build confidence among women in her party.
