Women and parliamentary politics in Tanzania

This study is about women in parliamentary politics in Tanzania. Its objective is to examine the position of women in Tanzania as political participants in the electoral process and as parliamentarians once elected. This study investigates the factors that lead to the inadequate parliamentary representation of women in Tanzania in-spite of the “best” conditions created by the Party and Government. It also seeks to investigate the extent and gravity of women participation once they are elected or appointed members. Areas examined include electoral campaigns, voting and the way women perform in parliament once elected. The study focuses on the 1980, 1985 and 1990 elections. The study shows that are relatively very few women constituency members. There are many more national members. It is shown that this is because women prefer to contest national seats instead of constituency seats. Contest for constituency seats are perceived as being very demanding in terms of financial resources and organization. National seats were seen to be less demanding. The study shows that there is no discernible discrimination in the electoral laws. Study findings also show that there was minimal women participation in parliament once elected or appointed. This was true with regard to question hour, parliamentary committees and women inclusion into the Cabinet. This is attributed to several factors. First, parliamentary procedures constrain most women. The parliamentary style is very different from public meetings or rallies and women parliamentarians have difficulties with it. Also most women parliamentarians have low education and this constrains their participatory capacity. Finally gender conflicting roles at home place them at a disadvantage. Most of the questions posed by women in parliament are not challenging, also the majority of women are recruited are into the less prestigious committees. Women ministers since 1980 to date have been few. Their number has never exceeded twelve percent. Also women have never headed such core ministries as Finance and Defense. This has come about as a result of a possible negative bias of the President who is a man. Once elected in Parliament the role of women is minimal because of their lack of confidence, education and experience. Their small number does not warrant the appointment of many of them to ministerial posts. The study makes several conclusions including the fact that the special reserved seats reduce the competitive ability of women. Women should avoid politics of patronage which in a way does not challenge the power structure of the patriarchal state. Capable women with leadership qualities should be encouraged to contest for leadership positions and should be given the moral and material support needed to win the election.