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| | | Title | GENDER BALANCE IN DECISION-MAKING BODIES: Lessons from Tanzania, Case Study No. 21 | | Author | ACBF | | Subject | Gender and Leadership | | Date of Publication | 2016021 | | Publisher | African Community of Practice on Management for Development result at the African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) | | Number of Pages | 12 pages | | Language | English | | Geographical Coverage | Tanzania | | Keywords | Gender and Decision Making - Tanzania, Gender Balance, Women in Parliament - Tanzania, Gender and Elections - Tanzania | | Abstract | The concept of gender balance is vital to the African transformation agenda and in recent years has led to a significant increase in the number of women in decision-making bodies at subnational, national, and continental levels. The Special Seats system in Tanzania has increased the number of women in Parliament and helped motivate women to become more involved in the political process. But Tanzania can achieve much more. Among the key findings: The introduction of the Special Seats system has not only increased the number of women participating in decision making at both the national and local levels but has also encouraged more women to enter politics. It has improved to some extent the public image of women who engage in public affairs and has helped men and women to become progressively more comfortable having women serve in decision-making roles. The Special Seats system has also expanded interest among women’s associations to ensure that the socioeconomic and cultural factors that contribute to discrimination against women are adequately addressed in national policies and legislations. The main conclusions: An inadequate legislative recruitment system limits the effectiveness of the Special Seats system, and more attention must be paid to enhancing institutional and human capacities to strengthen it. Women who accept this position should be confident and develop the capacity to demonstrate that they possess the talent, knowledge, and passion to address the important issues facing the majority of women and men in Tanzania. The key lessons: The Special Seats system has significantly increased the number of women in Parliament but the impact of the system on socioeconomic policies is still insignificant. Special Seats system MPs have to some extent become role models and have to a large extent positively influenced the public image of women in politics. The main recommendations: The National Electoral Commission (NEC) should establish legal mechanisms to ensure that the Special Seats nomination process is democratic. Capacity must be built in political institutions to develop strong functional structures, proper procedures, and appropriate systems. All responsible must be educated on the rule of law, good governance, and leadership. | | Copyright Holder | African Community of Practice (AfCoP) | | Copyright URL | http://www.acbf-pact.org | | Filesize | 576547 MB | | File Format | PDF | | [ View / download original document ] |
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