Groups' influence in the policy- making process in Tanzania: the case of TAMWA and TAWLA in the Sexual Offences Special Provision Act (1998) And Land and Village Land Act (1999)

Abdallah, Mariam

Groups' influence in the policy- making process in Tanzania: the case of TAMWA and TAWLA in the Sexual Offences Special Provision Act (1998) And Land and Village Land Act (1999)

Date

2006

Authors

Abdallah, Mariam

Publisher

University of Dar es Salaam

Abstract

This study examines the degree of influence and the reasons for such degree that TAMWA (Tanzania Media Women Association) and TAWLA (Tanzania women Lawyers Association) had on the SOSPA (Sexual Offices Special Provision Act, 1998) and the Land and Village Land Act (1999), respectively, it b guided by two major hypotheses, namely: (1) The groups' organizational capacity plays a significant role in enhancing the group’s ability to influence the governmental decisions. (2) The nature of the issue in question is one of the major determinant factors of the degree of influence that the group can exert on the policy-making process. The nature of the issue is measured in relations to me country's customs, traditions, religions as well as political interests. The organizational capacity is measured against the groups' funds, membership, the leadership and management style, the human resources and the strategies , The study used secondary and primary dab Structured interviews were conducted to a purposeful sample of three senior members of each group while unstructured interviews were conducted to five non-groups members who were academicians. The groups' theory of policy-making process was adopted, under the assumption that groups in Attica are the agents of civilization and democratization and not the power equalizers. The findings and analysis show that both groups had a strong organizational capacity. However, they could not influence some fundamental changes in the policies. The reason was the nature of the Land and Sexual issue in relation to some complex religions and discriminatory customs and traditions. This proves that the groups' theory of policy-making is now applicable in Tanzania to demonstrate the groups' ability and readiness to involve themselves in the country's politics. The study recommends the continuation oi ' public campaigns against discriminatory customs and traditions in relation to sexual matters and ownership of Land.

Description

Available in print form, University Dar es Salaam, Wilbert Chagula Class mark (THS EAF H97.A22)

Keywords

Policy making, Policy science's, Tanzania, Tanzania Media Women Association, Sexual Offences Sspecial Provision Act, Land and Village

Citation

Abdallah, M (2006)Groups' influence in the policy- making process in Tanzania: the case of TAMWA and TAWLA in the Sexual Offences Special Provision Act (1998) And Land and Village Land Act (1999), Master Dissertation, University of Dar es salaam