Source: Tanzania Daily News
WOMEN have been urged to unite and speak with one voice so that their agenda and wishes are incorporated in the new constitution.

This was said here on Sunday by the Minister for Community Development, Gender and Children, Ms Sophia Simba, during the Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group workshop.

"The constitution review gives us an opportune moment to rectify all the wrongs and bad laws that were discriminating or oppressing women," observed the minister, who also hailed President Jakaya Kikwete's selection of the constitution review team.

The Chairperson of the Tanzania Women Cross-Party Platform, Ms Anna Abdalah faulted the current set up of election process for members of parliament, saying it encouraged corruption and diminished women's chances of getting elected. "Corruption is rife during election (of MPs) because of the system we have, therefore it is high time for women to discuss a better system to address the matter," said the veteran leader.

She echoed the minister's statement on the need for women to air their views so that the constitution is overhauled to increase women's representation in Parliament. She also challenged political parties to give women equal chances of assuming top leadership posts.

"Women have proved over the years that they are more than capable leaders, but the problem has been that the system neither allows nor encourages them to assume top leadership positions," said Ms Abdalah. She challenged women to have courage and contest in various leadership positions from the grassroots level to ensure they stand a good chance of being elected instead of waiting for the special seats nominations.

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