Women’s Representation in Tanzania LGAs: Achievements and Limitations

Abstract

The representation of women in decision-making processes is a widely discussed
topic in both developed and developing countries since it is a crucial prerequisite for
achieving gender equality. However, the representation of women in politics is
marked by both achievements and limitations, which are experienced differently by
women as compared to their male counterparts. Tanzania, being a developing
country, faces a similar situation. Despite the government’s efforts to implement
international, regional, and national instruments that promote equal representation
of men and women in politics, the current state of affairs is still of concern. To
understand the achievements and limitations faced by women in politics,
questionnaires were employed, using the urban and rural local government
authorities in Dodoma Region as a case study. The study surveyed 390 household
heads, and the findings revealed that the quota system, character of political parties,
electoral procedures, poor gender relations between men and women, and the
financial positions of women: all are the factors that contribute to the success and
challenges experienced by women local representatives in local politics. In
conclusion, the government needs to address the challenges faced by women in local
politics by taking such steps as improving gender relations, electoral procedures, and
financial positions of women. Also, political parties have a role to play in ensuring
that women are represented equally in decision-making processes.