WOMEN living with disability in the country have asked for more recognition and inclusion in leadership posts ahead of the coming local government and general elections so that they can serve the nation through their skills, education and talents.
They made the plea in Dar es Salaam during a recent three-day training on Leadership Skills organised jointly by Action on Disability and Development (ADD) International and Movement of Women with Disabilities in Tanzania (MOWADITA).
The women shared their experiences in political issues and concluded that much is still to be done on the area to improve the situation. MOWADITA Chairperson Dorice Kulanga who is visually impaired said during an interview that there is still negative perception among the society about electing people with disabilities especially women.
“There is still a need for more education to make our society understand that a person with disabilities is capable of being not only a leader but also a good leader when given opportunity. This education will reduce stigma and obstructions to people with disabilities and especially for women who wish to contest for various positions in their respective areas”, she said.
ADD International Africa Regional Director Ms Rose Tesha stated that the training was part of the Women with Disabilities Leadership and Economic Rights (WDLER)-, a one-year project which is being funded by the UN Women.
“Through trainings of this kind, women are equipped with knowledge on the importance of working as a team and pushing forward their agendas together. The women are also getting opportunity to learn how to solve conflicts, be good leaders and manage their projects,” she said.
At the moment, she said, the organisation is making efforts to work with the government on creating environment which will allow increasing number of people with disabilities in different sectors. According to Ms Tesha, there are a total of 11 platforms of women with disabilities in three districts of Kinondoni in Dar es Salaam, Mtwara District in Mtwara region and Kibaha District in Coast Region where the project is being implemented.
