Women break the ceiling in Zanzibar’s 2025 Election

ZANZIBAR: FOR the first time in Zanzibar’s history, women are set to appear on the presidential ballot. In both the 2015 and 2020 general elections, no female candidate contested the Isles’ highest office. But 2025 is proving to be a breakthrough year.

During three days of nomination form collection (August 30, 31 and September 1) at the Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) offices in Maisara, three women were among the 17 hopefuls who picked up papers to vie for the presidency.

They are Ms Laila Rajab Khamis of NCCR-Mageuzi, Ms Isha Salim Hamad of the CCK party and Ms Naima Salum Hamad of the United Democratic Party (UDP). If cleared by ZEC, their names and photographs will appear on the October ballot, marking a milestone in Zanzibar’s democratic journey.

Women’s rights activists have hailed this development as a bold step forward for gender equality and political inclusion, aligning with Zanzibar’s Vision 2050 and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For many, it represents a longoverdue shift in women’s representation at the highest levels of decision-making.

UDP’s Naima Salum Hamad says her candidacy is rooted in the desire to champion women, children and people with special needs. “I believe women have the strength and ability to shape the future of our nation. My candidacy is not just for myself, it is for the many voices that have long been left unheard,” she said.

Her decision, along with those of her fellow aspirants, signals a major departure from the past. In the last election in 2020, not a single woman contested the presidency.

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Beyond the top seat, political parties this year have nominated more women to contest the House of Representatives and councillorship positions, creating a ripple effect of inclusivity across Zanzibar’s political spectrum. Observers say the increasing number of women in politics is no coincidence.

It reflects years of advocacy, training and civic education designed to empower women to break free from longstanding social and cultural barriers. The Forum for African Women Educationalists Zanzibar (FAWE-ZNZ) has been central to this progress.

Through its Joint Programme on Rural Women’s Economic Empowerment (JP RWEE), it has trained rural women in leadership skills, gender rights and civic participation. According to FAWE-ZNZ Assistant Project Officer Ms Maryam Juma Othman, these interventions have had a transformative impact.

“Through training, women have gained the confidence to step forward as candidates for community and political leadership positions. We are seeing more women than ever before seeking roles as councillors, Shehia council members and development representatives,” she said.

Ms Othman emphasised that the initiative has also shifted community perceptions: “Leadership is not a male monopoly. These achievements demonstrate the importance of empowering women at the grassroots level.” In Zanzibar’s traditionally conservative society, women in politics have often faced stigma, lack of support and fear of rejection. But that reality is beginning to change.

Legal aid assistants working in rural Shehias confirm that women are becoming more aware of their rights and more assertive in community decision-making. Ms Maryam Suleiman Ussi, a legal aid assistant from Kitogani, explained: “Through civic education and outreach, we have been able to reach many women with training on citizenship and leadership.

This has boosted their confidence to contest elections.” Another legal aid worker, Ms Bihindi Juma Ramadhani from Kizimkazi Shehia, said his work includes encouraging women to seek leadership positions: “By providing advice on social, economic and political matters, we help women see that their voices matter in shaping the future.” The candidacies of three women for the Zanzibar presidency have sparked widespread debate.

For some, it is a symbolic breakthrough challenging stereotypes about leadership. For others, it represents a practical step toward more inclusive governance.

“This is a crucial step in strengthening participatory democracy,” said one community activist during a recent public dialogue. Analysts point to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, the first female Tanzanian President as a major source of inspiration. Her rise to the nation’s highest office has redefined what is possible for women in politics.

“President Samia’s leadership is living proof of women’s success in politics,” said trainer Ms Khadija Juma Ali, who facilitates community discussions on leadership. “Her example has motivated women across Zanzibar to step forward and aspire to leadership. We must continue this momentum until we achieve the 50/50 goal of gender equality.” Zanzibar’s long-term development blueprint, Vision 2050, explicitly prioritises gender equality and women’s participation in economic, social and political spheres.

Officials say empowering women is not just about fairness, it is about driving sustainable national progress. At the global level, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) call for women’s full and equal participation in leadership (Goal 5). Studies show that societies with women in decision-making roles achieve stronger outcomes in education, health and poverty reduction.

“Women’s empowerment is the foundation of sustainable and inclusive development,” FAWE-ZNZ’s Maryam Othman stressed. Women trained under the JP RWEE programme testify that they have become more confident and determined to play leadership roles. “In the past, we feared rejection and thought leadership was only for men. But today, we see ourselves as part of social transformation,” said one participant.

Their stories highlight how education, mentorship and support networks can dismantle barriers once thought insurmountable. As election season intensifies, the presence of women on the ballot, from grassroots council seats to the presidency signals a new chapter in Zanzibar’s political history.

Their candidacies are reshaping politics and society, sending a powerful message to young girls that leadership is within their reach. For Ms Naima Salum Hamad and the other women vying for the presidency, the stakes are high, but the symbolism is equally significant.

Their presence on the ballot is a testament to courage, determination and a broader movement for gender equality that continues to gain momentum. Whether or not they win, their candidacies have already altered the political landscape proving that Zanzibar’s women are no longer bystanders, but key architects of the nation’s future.