Source: All Africa
Dar es Salaam — Consideration of gender equality in the formation of a new cabinet must be upheld, activists have urged.

They want the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) Gender Protocol's call for 50/50 to be implemented.

There has been an increase of women in the cabinet from 14.8 per cent in 2003/05 to 31.25 per cent in 2013/15. During the same periods, the number of women deputy ministers decreased from 30 per cent to 24 per cent.

In their joint statement issued on Tuesday, Tanzania Gender Network Programme (TGNP), Action Aid Tanzania and FemAct commended the government's progress in appointing women to occupy higher positions, although the number is insufficient.

TGNP executive director Lilian Liundi said Tanzania has signed various agreements on gender issues including equality in leadership which need compliance.

She feels that it is time the government appointed more women in other positions including those of district and regional commissioners.

"Despite efforts to promote gender equality, the number of women in other positions remains minimal. In 2003/5, the number of women permanent secretaries decreased from 28 per cent to 18.2 per cent," she said.

Ms Liundi said the number of women deputy permanent secretaries increased from 12.5 per cent in 2003/5 to 40.7 per cent in the past three years, but there is a need to improve the percentage. "We commend women who won election as ward councillors and Member of Parliament. We urge them to work hard and fulfil their responsibilities to citizens and prove that they can make changes when given the chance," she said.

Earlier FemAct chairman Abdullah Otham said the organization will empower appointed women leaders with leadership skills and tools to help them perform their work more effectively. Mr Otham expressed his hope that the new government will implement the agreements by appointing more women in top positions.

"We hope appointing authorities including the President will take into account the gender balance in appointing officials," he said. However, he called on the government to fulfil the promises which were made during election campaigns.

• Tanzania