50:50 gender representation ratio sought in House, leadership, work

By Martha Majura

Dr Pindi Chana, Deputy minister of Community Development, Gender and Children

Political parties in the country have been urged to seek attainment of equal gender representation in Parliament and leadership positions.

Curently, at the municipal level, there is only 35 percent of women representatives, 36.6 percent in the national assembly, 27.4 percent in the cabinet of ministers and 25 percent in official employment.


The call was made by Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children yesterday in parliament, averring that the ratio between men and women in various leadership and decision making positions in the country is yet to attain the 50 percent equality mark.

She was nonetheless keen to note and commend the government for the various measures it has already taken to ensure the equal ratio is reached.

The minister was responding to a question raised by Leticia Nyerere (Special Seats, Chadema) who had wanted to know of the government’s stance on statistics that show there is gender inequality in various levels of government authorities and leadership positions within political parties.

The minister in her response said, as per the 2013 statistics, the ratio of women representation in the Parliament has increased from 15 in 2005 to 36 percent, female ministers increased to 30 from 15 percent in 2005, female Regional Commissioners increased to from 10 in 2005 to 24 percent while female District Commissioners reached 32 from 21 percent in 2005.

“Female Municipal Directors have also increased to 26 from 14 percent in 2005,” she noted, adding that the statistics show the government’s efforts to bring gender equality in employment, representation and leadership positions.

She also highlighted the fact that there are various laws that declare women are to be given equal opportunities to men, these include the Employment Act, 2002, amended in 2007 and the Work Relations Act 2004 which calls for equal rights in employment.

“There are also laws which call for equal representation in various committees including the Village, Land and Water committees in local governments,” she added.

Responding to a supplementary question from Nyerere who had further wanted to know if the government would bring a bill that would require employers to hire men and women at the 50:50 ratio, Simba said there is a law that requires employers to take into consideration gender equality when short listing candidates. 

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN