DAR ES SALAAM: ZANZIBAR Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children, Dr Saada Salum Mkuya, has said Tanzania’s Development Vision 2050 is a key tool for promoting gender equality, empowering women and increasing their participation in leadership and decision-making positions.
Speaking today in Dar es Salaam at the Women’s Leadership Forum, Dr Mkuya said the vision emphasizes inclusive leadership that creates opportunities for women, young people and persons with disabilities to participate fully in national development.
She said empowering women to take up leadership positions requires continuous capacity-building initiatives to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to perform their duties effectively and prepare them for senior leadership roles in both the public and private sectors.
Dr Mkuya noted that the Sixth Phase Government, led by President Samia Suluhu Hassan, has continued to emphasize gender equality and women’s empowerment, adding that women’s representation in various leadership positions reflects ongoing efforts to advance this agenda.
She also said Zanzibar’s Development Vision 2050 aims to build an equitable society by protecting women’s rights and expanding their access to economic opportunities, decent employment and decision-making platforms.
The vision sets a target of increasing women’s representation in relevant public-sector decision-making positions to 40 per cent by 2030.
Dr Mkuya said achieving these goals requires institutions to develop gender-responsive plans and budgets, while integrating leadership training into appointment, promotion and performance assessment systems to track women’s progress in leadership.
She further stressed the importance of strengthening women’s safety and protection against discrimination, violence and harassment, saying a safe environment is essential for women to carry out their responsibilities confidently and effectively.
According to Dr Mkuya, promoting women’s leadership should not be viewed as excluding men, but rather as creating an environment of constructive competition and cooperation between women and men for the benefit of society and national development.
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The forum is taking place as Tanzania continues to emphasize the implementation of policies and plans aimed at increasing women’s participation in leadership, strengthening gender equality and ensuring equal opportunities for all to contribute to national decision-making and development.