Pemba, Zanzibar – In the semi-autonomous archipelago of Zanzibar, a region steeped in unique cultural and political traditions, women aspiring to political office find themselves confronting a formidable wall of challenges. 

Despite constitutional guarantees of gender equality within Tanzania’s multi-party system, a pervasive combination of financial barriers, sexual bribery, and deep-seated gender discrimination is stifling the political ambitions of countless women, an investigation has revealed.

Tanzania, which transitioned from a single-party state under the long-dominant Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) to a multi-party democracy in 1992, has on paper committed to gender equality. 

The nation’s constitution explicitly states that all persons are equal before the law, and the government has publicly endorsed a “50-50” policy, aiming for equal gender representation in political leadership by 2030. However, the reality on the ground, particularly in culturally conservative areas like Pemba Island, tells a different story.

For many women, the political journey ends before it even begins, stalled by the high cost of nomination forms. This initial financial hurdle is often just the first of many, as the immense financial burden of campaigning forces many capable women to abandon their ambitions. 

READ MORE: A Young Zanzibari’s Perspective on What’s Needed to Achieve Genuine Democracy in Africa 

The economic barrier is a significant one in a country where the average income can make political aspirations seem like an unaffordable luxury.

“If you don’t have money to give to delegates for empty promises of words, you will not be considered,” revealed Mwamize Mohammed, a parliamentary aspirant from the ruling CCM party. She also shared her harrowing experience with sexual extortion, a grim reality for many women in politics. 

“Personally, I encountered it but I managed to escape it,” she says. “The most painful thing is that our fellow women are at the forefront of persuading members not to choose us.”

Culture of intimidation

Beyond the pervasive issue of money in politics, female aspirants must also grapple with a culture of intimidation and misplaced priorities. 

Hadija Anuwar Mohammed, who vied for a councilor seat under the opposition party ACT-Wazalendo, explained that men often discourage women from contesting for constituency roles, suggesting they should instead confine their ambitions to the women’s wing of the party.

READ MORE: Activists in Zanzibar Call for More Women’s Participation in Leadership 

“The problem is not a lack of awakening or self-confidence, but when men hear that you want to run for a constituency seat, they follow you, persuade you, and instill fear,” she said. “But in truth, we women have greater capability than those men.”

Advocates for gender equality confirm that these challenges are systemic. Omar Saleh, a male champion of change from Kilindi, identified the lack of campaign funds and the difficulty of gaining name recognition as major obstacles for women. However, he remains hopeful about the future. 

“Our belief is that the 50-50 policy will succeed by 2030 if the challenges they face are resolved,” he stated.

In response to these systemic issues, grassroots organisations are stepping in to provide crucial support. The Pemba Gender and Environment Advocacy Community (PEGAO), a local non-governmental organization, is at the forefront of these efforts. 

Dina Juma Makota, the coordinator of PEGAO, urged women to break their silence and report cases of discrimination and sexual bribery. 

READ MORE: Sofia Kawawa: The Legendary Mouthpiece for Tanzanian Women 

She also called for a change of heart among party leaders, pointing to the appointments of Dr Asha-Rose Migiro as Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Stagomena Tax as the current Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation as powerful examples of successful female leadership in Tanzania.

Supporting female candidates

Another key organisation, TAMWA, a local media and women’s rights group, has established an Early Warning Network to support female candidates. 

“This network gives women the opportunity to raise their voices against all indicators that could set them back in the process of vying, campaigning, and during the election period,” explained Acting Coordinator Amina Ahmed.

Some political parties have also pledged to take action. Hamad Sadala, a senior official of ACT-Wazalendo, stated that his party has a strategy to take stern action, including disqualification, against any candidate found guilty of corrupt practices like bribery or discrimination. 

Similarly, Mariam Mohammed Muhene of the Alliance for Democratic Change (ADC) highlighted that her party is a leader in gender equality, with a 50-50 balance in its top leadership. However, she conceded that a lack of funds remains a universal challenge for all their aspirants.

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As the 2030 target for achieving equal representation approaches, the consensus is clear: for Tanzania to harness the full potential of its women leaders, the entrenched barriers of money, sexism, and corruption must be decisively dismantled. 

The journey towards true gender equality in Tanzanian politics is a long and arduous one, requiring not just legal and policy reforms, but a fundamental shift in cultural attitudes and a concerted effort to empower women at all levels of society.
Hassan Msellem is a journalist from Pemba who works for the Pemba Post Blog. He can be reached via email at hassanmsellem2020@gmail.com.