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.