A history of women’s participation in the struggle for independence in Zanzibar, 1951-1964

The thesis ‘A History of Women’s Participation in the Struggle for Independence in Zanzibar, 1951-1964’ examines women’s contributions in the struggle for the independence of Zanzibar. It details the mode and extent of women’s participation in the Zanzibar nationalist struggles. The thesis explores the factors for women’s participation in the struggles. It also explores the women’s common goals in the struggles. Finally, it identifies constraints that women faced during the struggles. The study was conducted in Unguja and Pemba islands. Furthermore research was conducted in Zanzibar Town. The Town accommodated absentee landlords, the colonial representatives, the Indian merchants and African labourers. It gave political significance to Zanzibar. Zanzibar Town then became the hub of political and economic activities during colonial period. Moreover, research was conducted in urban and rural areas to investigate women’s participation in the nationalist activities. The techniques that were used to conduct the research involved interviews, observation and reading of written materials. Interviews were conducted in many areas of Unguja and Pemba islands. Forty-three people, men and women and scholars on Zanzibar nationalist history were interviewed. The research also included the recitation of archival sources, and textbooks on Zanzibar political and economic history. It was discovered that Zanzibari women played a major role in the struggles for the independence of Zanzibar. Women were marginalized, exploited and harassed by colonialists. They joined the political parties that organized the nationalist struggles and initiated a lot of activities. Further research is needed on the contribution made by women during the post- colonial period. Are women politically empowered after the 1964 Zanzibar Revolution?