Dr Biteko urges women to seize leadership opportunities

Dar es Salaam. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has said that meaningful progress in women’s empowerment depends on their active involvement in decision-making processes.

He noted that inclusive leadership is essential for national development.

Speaking on March 7 at the fifth edition of The Citizen Rising Woman forum in Dar es Salaam, Dr Biteko urged women not to wait for opportunities to be given to them but to seek, fight for, and utilise them effectively, just as men do.

He encouraged women to contest leadership positions in the upcoming October General Election rather than merely participating as voters.

“The presence of derogatory language against women in elections makes it more challenging for them to run for office. Unlike men, who only have to focus on winning votes, women must simultaneously fight to prove they are equally capable,” he said.

Dr Biteko warned that if this situation does not change, future generations of young girls may believe leadership roles are exclusively for men.

“I urge women to step forward, compete, and win elections in pursuit of their aspirations,” he said.

He further stressed that for the concept of 50/50 gender equality to be meaningful, women in leadership positions must deliver positive results.

“Gender equality should not be about numbers alone but also about real capability and contribution to national development. Women should hold leadership roles because they are competent, not as a form of favouritism,” he said.

Dr Biteko praised Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) for organising The Citizen Rising Woman platform, highlighting its success in empowering women over the past five years.

“Since its inception, the platform has featured over 250 stories, showcasing and celebrating women’s achievements while inspiring and educating others,” he noted.

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of MCL, Victor Mushi, said Dr Biteko’s presence at the event reflected President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in leadership, economic development and policy-making.

“When we launched this platform in 2021, we pledged to highlight the success stories of Tanzanian women and demonstrate the importance of their participation in national development,” he said.

Mushi said the platform aligns with MCL’s mission of empowering the nation by placing women at the centre of societal progress.

“One of the key focus areas of the Beijing Declaration is enhancing women’s participation and representation through the media. The Citizen Rising Woman will continue to drive gender equality by ensuring women remain at the forefront of these discussions,” he said.

The minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, also spoke at the forum, reminding Tanzanians of the importance of reading the book written by Mwalimu Julius Nyerere on women’s empowerment.

“At the age of 22, while still a university student, Nyerere wrote about women’s freedom, comparing them to eagles that can soar high, rather than being confined like chickens,” he said.

MCL’s commitment

MCL Board Chairman, David Nchimbi, said the platform’s was crucial in advancing gender equality in Tanzania.

“For the past five years, The Citizen Rising Woman has been at the forefront of recognising and celebrating women’s contributions to leadership. It is dedicated to ensuring the inclusion of women in decision-making roles at all levels,” he said.

Nchimbi called for greater collaboration among public institutions, the private sector and development partners to ensure women are granted leadership opportunities, as inclusive governance fosters sustainable development and economic growth.

“As we celebrate five years of this platform, we reflect on our achievements and look ahead to advancing the agenda of gender equality and inclusivity in leadership,” he added.

He revealed that over the past five years, The Citizen Rising Woman has documented 270 success stories and recognised 45 institutions promoting gender equality.

Lindam Group Founder and CEO, Zuhura Muro, encouraged young women to believe in themselves, build strong networks, and work hard in their respective fields without fear or hesitation.

UN Women Acting Representative in Tanzania, Katherine Goffod, acknowledged existing policies aimed at promoting gender equality but noted a gap between commitments and actual implementation.

“One of the biggest challenges is financial investment in gender equality, including adequate public and private sector funding to turn commitments into tangible actions,” she said.

She added that while Tanzania’s political leadership has shown commitment, it is crucial to translate this into concrete policy changes that positively impact women at the community level.

Legal activist and women’s rights advocate, Arafa Kikwete, stressed the need for legal reforms to address gender disparities, particularly in child marriage.

“One major gap is that the legal marriage age for girls in Tanzania remains at 14. This needs to change to ensure alignment with the legal age of adulthood,” she said.

She warned that early marriage prevents many girls from completing secondary education, limiting their opportunities for economic independence and leadership roles.

“There is an urgent need to educate and empower women to realise their potential and take up leadership positions,” she added.