Uwakilishi 50/50 Bungeni: Wasiwasi watanda kwa wanawake

Na Mwandishi Wetu

Kuna hofu kubwa miongoni mwa wanawake kuwa hoja ya usawa wa kijinsia wa 50/50 katika nafasi za maamuzi iliyoaninishwa kwenye rasimu ya pili ya Katiba mpya  inaweza kuondolewa kutokana na wajumbe wa  wabunge  la Katiba kutokuielewa.

Akizungumza kwenye Kongamano la  wanawake kutoka mikoa yote nchini Tanzania lililoandaliwa na Mtandao wa Wanawake na Katiba kwa kushirikiana na TGNP Mtandao mjini Dodoma Mwenyekiti wa Mfuko wa Wanawake Profesa Ruth Meena amesema kuwa  baada ya kukutana na wajumbe was Bunge maalum la Katiba na kujadiliana juu ya kuendelea kuzingatia masuala ya kijinsia katika mijadala inayoendelea kuanzia kesho Jumanne amesema wamebaini kuwa kuna masuala muhimu ya usawa wa kijinsia ambayo yameachwa.

“Tumefuatilia na kuwasikiliza, tumegundua kuwa wenyewe (wajumbe) hawaelewi maana halisi ya usawa wa kijinsia na dhana ya 50 kwa 50 ambayo imeainishwa kwenye rasimu. Hii inapaswa kuwa agenda muhimu sana ya kufuatilia katika kipindi hiki”alisema Prof. Ruth

Meena amesema kuwa mchakato umeanza kwa kukusanya maoni yao na kuwa na mambo ambayo yatawaunganisha wote. Mchakato huo uliibua mambo mengi haswa katika mabaraza ya Katiba. Mwanzo kabisa masuala ya wanawake yalikuwa 12, tunapaswa kuendelea kudai yasitupwe yote”alisema Profesa Ruth.

 Profesa Meena amesema kuwa kila siku wanawake 24 wanafariki wakijifungua, hivyo Mtandao wa wanawake na katiba wamesema kwamba kujifungua kusiwe ni hukumu la kifo.

Pia amesema kuwa ni lazima 50 kwa 50 katika uongozi izingatiwe.

Mjumbe wa Bunge maalum la katiba kwa tiketi ya taasisi ya elimu Dk.  Avemaria Semakafu, amesema kuwa yeye na wenzake walioko bungeni watahakikisha wanapigania agenda ya mwanamke kuwa na haki sawa kama mwananchi yoyote na kamwe hawatayumbishwa na agenda za wanasiasa.

Mshiriki Anna Kiombo kutoka Mbeya alisema kuwa  ni lazima haki za wanawa na kuheshimiwa katika katiba mpya.

“Ni lazima jamii ielewe kuwa hakuna maendeleo ya taifa lolote bila kuwa na katiba inayozingatia uasawa wa kijinsia na haki za wanawake kutambulika, wanawake wa vijijini tunateseka na kunyanyasika kwabsabu hatutambuliki kwenye katiba mpya”alisema.

Leo jumanne umati huo wa wanawake utaendesha Bunge mbadala mjini hapa kwa lengo la kuyapa makundi yote ya wanawake nafasi  ya kueleza madai yao kwenye Bunge halisi linaloendelea mjini Dodoma.

Akizungumza aliyekuwa Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TGNP Mtandao Usu Mallya amesema kuwa wameamua kuendesha Bunge mbadala mjini Dodoma ili kuamsha  uelewa na umakini kwa wananchi zaidi kuendelea kufuatilia mchakato,  kutoa fursa kwa wananchi wengine  kupaaza sauti zao  nje ya Bunge maalum,  kuonesha jinsi ambavyo wangependa Bunge hilo liendeshwe.

Aidha Bunge mbadala litasaidia kuonesha masuala ya kijinsia ambayo hayajazingatiwa kikamilifu na kudai yaingizwe kwenye katiba kwa muda huu uliobaki.

Mashirika mengine ambayo yanashiriki ni TAMWA, Oxfam, WILDAF,KIVULINI na mengine kutoka mikoa mbalimbali.

TGNP WASHIRIKIANA NA WAJIKI KUPIGA VITA UKATILI WA KIJINSIA MWANANYAMALA

TGNP WASHIRIKIANA NA WAJIKI KUPIGA VITA UKATILI WA KIJINSIA MWANANYAMALA

JAMII imetakiwa kuunaganisha nguvu kupiga vita vitendo vya Ukatili wa Kijinsia majumbani na katika mazingira ya kazi na kushirikiana na jeshi la polisi ili watuhumiwa wanaofanya ukatili waweze kufikishwea kwenye vyombo vya sheria.

Maandamano yakiwa yamekaribia

Akizungumza katika maadhimisho ya siku ya siku ya rangi ya chungwa duniani, iliyoadhimishwa na TGNP Mtandao kwa kushirikiana na Taasisi na Wanawake katika Jitihada za Maendeleo (WAJIKI)  katika viwanja vya Minazini  Mwananyamala Kinondoni Jijini Dar es salaam, Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TGNP, Lilian Liundi alisema kuwa Jamii ya Tanzania inatakiwa kujiuliza ni kwanini kuna ongezeko kubwa la matukio ya ubakajai, vipigo, udhalilishwaji wa wanawake na wasichana  wakati huu zaidi.

 

Wanawake na wanaume wakiwa pamoja kwenye maandamano

Alisema kuwa wanaharakati wa masuala ya Ukatili wa Kijinsia wanafanya maadhimisho hayo katika ngazi ya Jamii kushiriki kupiga vita aina yoyote ya ukatili wa kijinsia, wakivaa mavazi ya rangi ya chungwa kuonesha kuwa wanapinga kikamilifu bila uoga kila aina ya ukatili wa kijinsia wanaofanyiwa wanawake na wasichana.

“Pamoja na juhudi zinazofanyika za kuwapeleka watoto wa kike shule bado kuna tatizo la udhalilishwaji na ukatili mkubwa wanaofanyiwa,  ubakaji unaenda hadi kwa vitoto vichanga,  tunajiuliza kama watoto waodogo wanaobakwa wanakosa gani?  Hawa wabakaji wanatoka wapi? Kwanini hawaishi pamoja na kwamba kuna wanaokamatwa na kuchukuliwa hatua kali?”alisema Liundi

 

Washiriki wa GDSS wakiwa na Mabango kwenye maandamano yaliyofanyika Mwananyamala kupinga Ukatili wa Kijinsia

Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji (TGNP) Lilian Liundi akiwaongoza wananchi katika maandamano ya kupinga ukatili wa kijinsia

Alisema kuwa Mimba za utotoni ni tatizo kubwa ambalo linakwamisha na kufifisha kabisa ndoto ya motto wa kike ya kupata elimu na kufikia ndoto nzuri.

Aliongeza kuwa Utafiti uliofanywa na TGNP Mtandao katika mikoa ya Mbeya, Shinyanga, Morogoro na Dar es salaam, umebaini kwamba kuna tatizo kubwa la kimfumo ambalo limesbabisha maelfu ya wasichana kukosa masomo kutokana na ukatili wa kijinsia.

Liundi alisema kuwa hatuwezi kuondoakana na umasikini wakati idadi kubwa ya wasichana hawaendi shule au wamekatishwa masomo kwasababu taifa linatakiwa kuwa na watu waliosoma na wanaoweza kupambana na changamoto za kiuchumi wakiwa na uelewa wa kuchambua na kupambanua masuala yanayowazunguka. Lazima kupambana na biashara haramu ya watoto wa kike ili kuwapa fursa ya kusoma na kujenga uchumi pale walipo wakifanya kazi zenye staha.

 Kwa upande wake Mwenyekiti wa WAJIKI, Janeth Mawinza alisema kuwa  hakuna mtu mmoja mmoja au kikundi au taasisi moja inayoweza kupambana na kumaliza kabisa tatizo la Ukatili wa Kijinsia bila kuunganisha nguvu.

Alisema kuwa  WAJIKI chini ya Kituo cha Taarifa na Maarifa Mwananyamala wamafanikiwa kupambana na kesi nyingi za Ukatili wa Kijinsia na hadi kuzifikisha mhakamani kutokana na ushirikiano mzuri uliopo kati ya wananchi, viongozi wa serikali ya mtaa, kata, Jeshi la Polisi Kinondoni na Idara ya Ustawi wa Jamii Manispaa ya Kinondoni.

“Ukatili mkubwa unaendelea katika Jamii, yetu, matukio tuliyoyaibua ni machache, tunahitaji ushirkiano wa kutosha kutoka kwa Jamii ili kukomesha kabisa matukio haya na jeshi la polisi liendelee kutusaidia kuchukua hatua pale tunapowapa taarifa.  Zaidi ya wasichana 100 sasa wameshafanyiwa ukatili katika eneo hili na bado hatujaweza kupata taarifa zote”alisema mawinza

Kwa upande wake Mkuu wa dawati la Jinsia Mkoa wa Polisi Kinondoni, Prisca Komba alisema kuwa  askari polisi atakayejaribu kupuuza kesi ya ukatili wa kijinsia atachukuliwa hatua za kinidhamu na kuwataka mawakili au waendesha mashtaka wa serikali kutumia muda kusoma kwa umakini taarifa za maelezo na vielelezo vilivyoko kwenye majalada ya kesi za ukatili wa Jinsia zilizofunguliwa ili  haki iweze kupatikana mahakamani.

“ Ninawataka askari Polisi wote kuwa makini, na kutokuwasumbua wahanga wa ukatili wa kijinsia, na  waendesha mashtaka au mawakili wa serikali kuchukua muda kuyasoma majalada ya kesi hizi za ukatili ili kutokuhitimisha kesi hizi kiholela na kuwapa washtakiwa uhalali wa kuwa huru wakati wametenda kosa. Wewe polisi jiulize kama aliyefanyiwa ukatili angekuwa mwanao, mama yako, Binti yako ungefanya nini? “alihoji Komba.

Pamoja na kutoa tena namba zake za simu kwa umma ambazo  ni 0655664979 ili apigiwe kupewa taarifa za ukatili wa kijinsia kwa wasichana na wanawake, aliwataka madaktari wa vituo vya afya na hospitali za umma wanaowafanya wahanga wa Ukatili wa Kijinsia vipimo kukubali kujitokeza mhakamani kutoa uahshaidi pindi wanapohitajika.

Katika juhudi za kutokomeza ukatili wa kijinsia, Julai 2012 Katibu Mkuu wa Umoja wa Mataifa kwa kupitia kampeni yake ya UNiTE (Tushikamane kutokomeza Ukatili kwa Wanawake) alitunuku kila tarehe 25 ya kila mwezi iwe siku ya Orange (Orange Day au siku ya rangi ya Chungwa). Katika siku hii watu huvaa nguo za rangi ya chungwa na kupinga ukatili dhidi ya Wanawake aidha kwa kuelimisha ama kuhamasisha jamii kuungana katika vita dhidi ya ukatili wa Wanawake. Mada ya mwezi huu ni ‘Kutokomeza Ukatili Dhidi ya Mtoto wa Kike’

TGNP ORGANISES A BIG BANG PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESSES

TGNP MTANDAO

TGNP ORGANISES A BIG BANG PUBLIC DEBATE ON THE CONSTITUTION MAKING PROCESSES

TGNP Mtandao in collaboration with Women Coalition in Constitution Tanzania (WCCT) and Tanzania Women Fund (WFT) conducted a public dialogue that involved communities from Bagamoyo, Kisarawe, Visegese, Kiluvya, Mwananyamala Knowledge Centers together with Gender and Development Seminar Series (GDSS) participants from Mbagala, Mabibo, Tabata, Mbezi and Temeke wards and participants from other areas of Dar es Salaam. The forum took place in August 6^th, 2014 at the TGNP grounds. The Forum had the former member of the Constitutional Reform Commision and Chairman of the National Council of NGOs (NACONGO) Mr. Humprey Polepole among its panelists. The other panelist was a new TGNP member, activist and gender analyst Ms. Gemma Akilimali. There was a turn up of over 400 people at the Big Bang, many of the participants having participated in Institutional Constitutional Councils in Community levels. Some of these councils having being organized by TGNP.

While opening the open forum, the Acting Executive Director of TGNP Ms. Lillian Liundi said that Tanzania should get a constitution that had a gender focus for the aim of getting gender equality.

Acting Executive Director Lilian Liundi opening the discussions

She said that these kinds of debates give people an opportunity to raise their voices and talk about what they would want to see included in the new constitution, thus they should not be taken for granted.

“Even thought the Constituent Assembly has resumed its discussions, the public should keep on airing their views, and whatever they say should not be taken for granted” said Ms. Liundi.

Very important issues discussed during the open forum included the women manifesto in the New Constitution especially the issue of gender equality, how women get their basic rights, especially when it comes to getting treatment, safe maternal health, education, safe water, rights of People living with disabilities (PLWD’s), active participation in employment opportunities at all levels. Other issues discussed were equal participation in leadership and decision making together with women being provided with a safe space due to an increase in Gender Based Violence and 50/50 plan.

Mr. Hamphrey Polepole speaking during the gathering

Mr. Polepole said that forums concerning the New Constitution will go on because it is a constitutional right. “A leader who prevents citizens from discussing about the Constitutional process has lost the qualifications of being a good leader” said Polepole

While being cheered at by participants, Polepole said that the United Republic of Tanzania is a democratic country that respects human rights and civilian rule, thus being surprised to hear that a leader is trying to prevent citizens from speaking out.

“I have heard one person forbidding the public not to hold public forums. I have not identified them yet, but from my observation, he/she is loosing qualifications of becoming the president of the United Republic of Tanzania, if he/she was intending to become the president” said Polepole. He then added, “I want to urge him/her that speaking our mind is our right and culture. While in the Commission, everybody was giving out their opinion.

Community grass roots concentrating on the Debate

At that time, things were a little difficult because we didn’t even know how the draft constitution would turn out” he said

He said that during that period, political parties were at the fore front in lobbying citizens to give opinions that were not theirs. He then advised leaders to give citizens civil education.

While still being cheered at, Polepole questioned.  “I’m surprised to learn that we are being told not to discuss about the constitution making process and that we should remain silent. What is our job? If we are forbidden from speaking, then what job should we do? I would like to send that message” insists Mr. Polepole

A group of participants following the discussion during the dialogue

He wanted members of the Constituent Assembly to stop disregarding citizens by thinking that they do not know what they want because telling citizens what to do while they know what they are doing is a very big mistake

“The era of telling people what to do is passed. There was no point in asking the public to give out their opinions and then coming up with something that is not suitable” he said

On the side of TGNP member Gemma Akilimali said that the process of getting a New Constitution should be participatory and which caries the voices of all groups in the society without discrimination. “We can not have a Tanzania that was there 1000 years ago, we want a modern Tanzania that is run democratically and regards the law. We also want a Tanzania that carries the voices of its citizens without disregarding whether they come from rural or urban areas, literate or illiterate” she said.

Acting Executive Director of TGNP and Gemma Akilimali chatting during the Big Bang

A participant from the Bagamoyo Knowledge Center, Amina Ramadhan said that the Constitutional Reform Commission gave them a permit to carry out Institutional Constituent Councils and gave out their opinions that they then submitted to the Constitutional Reform Commission. To their surprise, the draft constitution that was formed as a result of their opinions was disregarded, hence seeming that the draft constitution was not a result of the citizens opinions but the Commission’s.

“We get disappointed when we hear that this draft constitution has been rejected by members of the Constituent Assembly. We have exhausted our time and strength in giving out our opinions. We ran for government councils but we did not get opportunities. We used two days to analyze the first draft constitution and submitted our opinions to the Constitutional Reform Council. We incurred a lot of costs without any payments only for our opinions to be discarded” she said.

She said that before the Constitutional Reform Commission went to gather opinions for the making of the first draft constitution, political parties told citizens what to speak. “Why should these political parties forbid the public from speaking their minds now while the constitution authorizes it” she said

She also added that since 1977, citizens demanded for a new constitution but the process was never initiated. But since the process has now been initiated, we should use this opportunity effectively.

While commenting on the issue of banning open forums on the New Constitution process, participants said that being banned from giving out their opinions is the same as being deprived of their constitutional right, since new constitution that is being formed belongs to them.

They also said that shameful act that occurred during the last Constituent Assembly (CA) gatherings such as Constitution Assembly members insulting each other and disorder were a result of there being members who are there for their own benefit and not the citizens’.

A participant by the name of Selemani Bishangazi said that debates can be a way of airing out their views and contribute to the formulation of a good constitution

“We elected the leader who have banned the open forums, thus he/she cannot ban us from speaking our minds because this country belongs to us” said Bishangzi

                                     ************* end****************************

Tanzania women activists express hope on new constitution

MEMBERS of a network for Women and Constitution Coalition in Tanzania (WCCT) have expressed their optimism after having gained a substantial number of crucial issues for women’s rights which it had proposed for inclusion in the second draft of the National Constitution which came out over three weeks ago. It has been learnt. Speaking in an exclusive interview yesterday in Dar es Salaam, the Chairperson of the Women Fund Tanzania (WFT) Professor Ruth Meena said that, most issues for women’s rights which the WCCT proposed had been included in the constitution, giving hope for women’s brighter future. Professor Ruth said during a one day meeting organized by the representatives of the WCCT with some editors and reporters whom they had called to discuss some issues that concern women in the second draft of the constitution. She said that although the Constitution Review Commission (CRC) team has worked positively to defend women’s rights as per their wish, still there are some gaps as some of the issues were left and which need collaborative efforts to amend them. She outlined some basic important issues that the CRC has agreed to change all gender discriminatory laws including traditional, cultural and customary practices which are common to the patriarchal system in the society which discriminate and demean women and girls. However, she stated that, basic women rights should continue to be reflected in the will of rights so that women will continue getting equal rights as citizens  as some of these restricted women from inheriting or have an access to properties such as land. She also noted that, the new constitution has continued to maintain principles that protect dignity of women including protecting them from all, forms of gender based violence that includes marital and non marital rape, psychological abuse, female genital mutilation, child marriage and other forms. She has also thanked the whole preparation of electing members of the Constituent Assembly from the civil society group scheduled to start in early next month saying that the WCCT is happy to have 50 by 50 representation of the gender balance.   She outlined some of the shortcomings which the CRC could not consider just to mention a few that includes the implementation of International Convention on the rights of Women. To verify the issue, Prof Ruth has appealed that the new constitution should hold the government accountable for the implementation of all international conventions, and let them be translated into national to avoid delays and conflicting interpretations with their principles. 

Professor Ruth Meena stressing a point while contributing a debate in a Constitutional Forum

Others which she has appealed are on gender equality on decision making position whereby the new constitution should identify principles to prevent domination of any one gender group in decision making positions at all levels in and in all leadership positions in the country. On her part, the Coordinator of the Tanzania Women Cross-Party Platform (TWCP) Dr. Ave Senakafu said that, they wanted a constitution which recognizes marriage age for both women and men in the country and proper relations which exists. She is against the current law which says that a women is married at the age of 18 whereas in some tribal customary laws women are engaged even at the age of between 15 and 16 years and the government does not take any action. The Secretary General of the Women’s voice party that speaks for the people with disability Stella Jailos said that, she is happy to have seen the government this around has included people with disability in the process of the constitutional change for the first time in the country since independence time over 50 years ago. She said that, all should be put in place for the righteousness of the people with disability, but has insisted that, their rights should remain to defend them as they did not like to be in a situation as they are now. The coalition which prepares to attend the constituent assembly has also noted that, they are going to camp in Dodoma to ensure that some of these proposed women’s rights which were not included are included in the new constitution. During the meeting, some members of the press advised them to be careful with some politicians whom they said will take the advantage to drive a motion of the debate for their interests and their party. Deodatus Balile a senor member of the Tanzania Editors Forum and Chief Editor of the weekly Swahili tabloid known as ‘Jamhuri’ said that, women participation in this constitution review process is a salvation of women who have been oppressed and denied rights. However, he noted that, there are some women politicians in the National Assembly who in one way or another have failed to defend women’s rights while in parliament, and in view of this he has insisted unity among the elected members to join a combine force as this is the only way to succeed.

Mdahalo wa Katiba uliofanyika TGNP Mabibo wafana

Mwanaharakati wa siku nyingi na Mwenyekiti wa Umoja wa NGOs Hamphrey Polepole akizungumza kwenye Mkutano wa Katiba uliofanyika TGNP Mabibo

Hamphrey akizungumza

Mwanaharakati na mchambuzi wa masuala ya Jinsia Gemma Akilimali akizungumzia haki ya wanawake kupata ushiriki wa kutosha

Mdahalo mkubwa wa katiba wafanyika TGNP

Kaimu Mkurugenzi wa Mtandao wa Jinsia Tanzani TGNP,  Lilian Liundi (katikati), akitoa hotuba yake wakati wa kongamano la wazi wa jamii kujadili mchakato wa kutengeneza katiba mambo muhimu yaliojadiliwa katika kongamano hilo ni ilani ya wanawake katika katiba mpya kuangalia suala la usawa wa kijinsia, wanawake wanapata haki zao za msingi hasa katika suala la matibabu, uzazi salama, elimu, maji salama, ushiriki wa kutosha katika nafasi za ajira ngazi zote na ushiriki sawa katika nafasi za maamuzi na ulinzi wa kutosha kutokana na kukithiri kwa ukatili wa Kijinsia, kongamano hilo lilifanyika Agosti 6,2014 TGNP jijini Dar es Salaam (kushoto), Mdau wa Maendeleo Humphrey Polepole, na kulia Mwanaharakati wa Masuala ya Kijamii na Haki za Binaadamu, Gemma Akimali.

Wasanii watakiwa kutumia ngazi zao kukomesha mfumo dume

kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji TGNP, Bi. Lilian Liundi akizungumza na wasanii kutoka sehemu mbalimbali jijini Dar es salaam

Aliyekuwa Mkurugenzi Mtendaji TGNP, Usu mallya alitoa darasa kwa wasanii namna ya kuandaa kazi kwa kuzingatia uasawa wa Kijinsia na kupigania haki ya kuwa na bajeti yenye mrengo wa kijinsia ili kukidhi mahitaji ya kijinsia kwa makundi yote

usu Akiendelea

Wasanii wakifuatilia mafunzo hayo kwa umakini mkubwa

Wasanii waliofika wakiwa wametulia

Wasanii walioshiriki wakiwa kwenye makundi kujadili zaidi baada ya mtoa mada kuwapa fursa ya kubunga bongo

wasanii walipata fursa ya kutoa maoni yao kwa wanahabari waliofika kwaajili ya coverage ya tukio hilo

WASANII wametakia kutumia nafasi wanazopata kupanda majukwaani kukemea vitendo vya ukatili wa kijinsia na kudai uwajibikaji  na upatikanaji wa huduma za kijamii .

Akizungumza na wasanii  walioshiriki warsha ya siku moja ya TGNP iliyolenga kuwajengea uwezo wasanii kutumia nafasi yao katika kudai uwajibikaji, uandaaji wa bajeti kwa mrengo wa kijinsia na mapambano dhidi ya ukatili wa kijinsia jijini Dar es salaam Kaimu Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa TGNP Mtandao, Lilian Liundi amesema kuwa  wanasanii wana nafasi kubwa ya kutoa elimu, kuburudisha, kuonya na kukemea na kuleta  mabadiliko chanya.

Amewataka kutumia ipasavyo fursa walio nayo kuhakikisha wanapata  uelewa wa masuala yanayowagusa wananchi na kuandaa kazi zitakazosaidia kuleta mabadiliko, kama filamu, Michezo ya majukwaani, mashairi, ngoma, na uchoraji wa vibonzo.

“TGNP Mtandao tunafanya kazi na vyombo vya habari kwa muda mrefu, wasanii tunawatambua kama watoa taarifa pia, na mtindo wao wa utoaji wa taarifa ni wa haraka na unapendwa na wengi, ndio manaa tunakutana na wasanii kwaajili ya kuwawezesha kutumia fursa walizo nazo kupaaza sauti juu ya changamoto za kijamii”alisema Liundi

Alisema kuwa kila msanii ana hadhira yake  na kama atakuwa na uelewa juu ya masuala ya bajeti kwa mrengo wa kijinsia, akijua masuala muhimu yanauyohusu mgawanyo sawa wa rasilimali hasa kwa makundi yaliyoko pembezoni, akajengewa uwezo wa kufanya uchambuzi wa majukumu ya kijinsia na mahitaji muhimu  lazima jamii itabadilika na watendaji au watunga sera nao watapata ujumbe na kuleta mabadiliko.

Kwa upande wake Mwanachama  na aliyekuwa Mkurugenzi  Mtendaji wa TGNP Mtandao Usu Mallya, alisema kuwa  Utandawazi  na soko huria ambavyo vimeingia kuanzia miaka ya 1990 vimeipelekea serikali kupunguza wajibu wake wa kusimamia uchumi, ajira, masoko na biashara, sekta binafsi imepewa majukumu makubwa zaidi ya kuwa injini ya kutafuta biashara na masoko na kupelekea kuongezeka kwa tabaka  na wanawake wamezsidi kubaki nyuma kiuchumi.

“ Tunahitaji sana nguvu ya wasanii katika kuelimisha jamii na kushinikiza mabadiliko. Mwanamke kujitoa kwenye umasikini ni kazi ngumu sana, pamoja na majukumu aliyo nayo lakini bado hana maamuzi kuhusu fedha za kutekeleza majukumu aliyo nayo”alisema Usu

Kwa upande wake Stara Thomas, mwimbaji wa siku nyingi alisema kuwa  katika semina hiyo amepata mamabo makubwa ikiwa ni pamoja na kuuelewa mfumo dume ni kitu gani na jinsi unavyoadhiri maendeleo ya jamii hasa wanawake na watoto.

“katika semina hii nimejifunza kitu kikubwa, nimeelewa maana ya mfumo dume na jinsi unavyoadhiri jamii,  nitatumia elimu hii katika kazi zangu za sanaa ili kuleta mabadiliko”alisema Thomas

Naye Mwimbaji Irene Sanga, alisema kuwa wasanii wanatakiwa kuitumia nafasi waliyo nayo kuandaa kazi ambazo  zitafikisha ujumbe  wa kuleta mabadiliko sio mapenzi pekee. “sisi tuna nguvu tunaweza kuleta mabadiliko,  bila wasanii hakuna sherehe wala misiba, tunauwezo mkubwa wa kujibadilisha na kubeba uhusika wa kila aina tutumie vizuri fursa hizi.

Mwisho