Women’s representation in Tanzania LGAs: Achievements and limitations
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Date
2023
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tanzanian Institutes of Development Studies
Abstract
The representation of women in decision-making processes is a widely discussed topic in both developed and developing countries since it is a crucial prerequisite for achieving gender equality. However, the representation of women in politics is marked by both achievements and limitations, which are experienced differently by women as compared to their male counterparts. Tanzania, being a developing country, faces a similar situation. Despite the government’s efforts to implement international, regional, and national instruments that promote equal representation of men and women in politics, the current state of affairs is still of concern. To understand the achievements and limitations faced by women in politics, questionnaires were employed, using the urban and rural local government authorities in Dodoma Region as a case study. The study surveyed 390 household heads, and the findings revealed that the quota system, character of political parties, electoral procedures, poor gender relations between men and women, and the financial positions of women: all are the factors that contribute to the success and challenges experienced by women local representatives in local politics. In conclusion, the government needs to address the challenges faced by women in local politics by taking such steps as improving gender relations, electoral procedures, and financial positions of women. Also, political parties have a role to play in ensuring that women are represented equally in decision-making processes.
Description
Full-text is also available at https://www.ajol.info/index.php/tjds/article/view/258422
Keywords
Women representation, Local Government Authority, Local government structures, Local decision-making organs, Women, Tanzania
Citation
Makalanga, L. B. (2023). Women's Representation in Tanzania LGAs: Achievements and Limitations. Tanzania Journal of Development Studies, 21(1).