Outcome TZA_D_1.2

A cadre of interested, diverse and capable women political leaders is formed and supported to take up leadership roles in gender sensitive political institutions

UN Women's normative dialogues, in collaboration with the Department of Political Affairs and Public Administration of the University of Dar es Salaam, supported the development of the Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group's strategic plan (2022 – 2026) that aims to institutionalize the women's leadership trainings in order to increase the number of women political leaders in the country.

A cadre of interested, diverse and capable women political leaders is formed and supported to take up leadership roles in gender sensitive political institutions

Result: Umoja wa Wanawake Wawakilishi Zanzibar (UWAWAZA), the Association of Women Members of House of Representatives Zanzibar and Tanzania Women Parliamentary Group (TWPG) represent some of the most strategic entry points for UN Women’s legislative work. UN Women’s approach to develop a strategic plan for both institutions was an important initiative to strengthen their capacity and sustainability in mainstreaming gender in parliamentary functions. In December 2022, when conducting the final evaluation of Wanawake Wanaweza II, the Speaker of the Zanzibar House of Representatives (ZHoR) noted how there was currently a larger number of women raising motions in the House. The Steering Committee for UWAWAZA also agreed to develop a resource mobilization plan to increase the sustainability of UWAWAZA; a draft plan was developed for UN Women’s review and technical support. Also, the ability of TWPG members to make submissions to the Law Reform Commission on the need for reforms of the Elections Act and Political Parties Act and having the institution consider seriously demonstrate increased capacity to promote women’s rights in gender sensitive institutions. Various knowledge products developed with UN Women’s support have the potential to improve capacity building of individual women members of parliament, male champions, political parties etc. Nonetheless, without facilitating institutionalization of these knowledge products within targeted entities it will be difficult to ensure their sustainability. The leadership challenges within the Tanzania Women's Cross-Party Platform hindered engagement with TWCP and opportunities to advance WLPP within political parties by working with women's wings of political parties. However, an analysis on the functioning of women’s wings of political parties is being finalized to generate information on strengths and weaknesses and recommendations on how better to support TWCP and women’s wings. On 21 st December 2022, the university of Dar es Salaam convened a meeting to validate and share findings on the study of Political Parties’ Women Wings and women’s political participation in Tanzania. The meeting was held at the Council’s Chamber at the University of Dar es Salaam, and it was attended by 60 participants (39 females and 24 males) including members of the NEC Strategy committee and two participants from the University of Dar es Salaam. The study was a qualitative analysis which sought to investigate the effectiveness of women wings in enhancing women’s political participation. Data was collected in six regions namely, Mbeya, Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma, Mtwara and Mjini Magharibi. Five registered political parties - CCM, CHADEMA, CUF, ACT Wazalendo and NCCR Mageuzi - with representation in the 2015-2020 Union Parliament were selected as case studies for the analysis. The findings of the study show that, even though women wings are a constitutional feature of all examined political parties, the leadership of the parties is male dominated. Women are made to hold only deputy positions, like deputy chairperson, deputy general secretary and other related positions. The following challenges were presented, a) lack or shortage of resources from the local government to run women wings’ activities. These resources include direct financing and facilities such as offices; b) negative attitudes towards women in the society, which hinder women from exercising their political rights; c) poor leadership skills of women wings’ leaders, and d) male dominance and the patriarchal context which make it hard for women to exercise leadership and their political rights. Recommendations were made to strengthen women wings as an avenue to promote women’s political participation. Firstly, the government must ensure there is political space for parties to conduct their political activities. Secondly, the government should ensure that there is an independent electoral commission, which will ensure free and fair elections with deliberate efforts to promote inclusive elections. Thirdly, the government should invest in women’s capacity building by providing training to the party leaders and women wings to strengthen their abilities to promote GEWE. Evidence: Validation meeting of the study on Political Parties’ Women Wings. UN Women contribution: UN Women has a full-time Gender Specialist based in Dodoma and a Project Manager based in Zanzibar to support the women political leaders in both Tanzania mainland and in Zanzibar.