Men's Safe Space to discuss gender, masculinity, and women's leadership,

 

By Deogratius Koyanga, in Kondoa

The Gender Network in Tanzania (TGNP), in collaboration with the Aga Khan Foundation (AKF-(T)), through the "SHE LEADS" project in the Kondoa District Council in Dodoma Region, has organized a Safe Space Dialogue involving some male partners of women leaders in the Haubi Ward, starting from the ward level, villages, and hamlets.

Facilitating the dialogue, Deogratius Temba from TGNP stated that the aim of the dialogue is to change negative perceptions, customs, and traditions regarding women's participation in leadership positions and to enhance the collaboration of partners in improving the effectiveness of leaders in office.

He added that there is a need for male partners of women leaders to assist their spouses with some of the responsibilities traditionally associated with women, thereby reducing the workload on female leaders and enabling them to carry out their leadership roles for the benefit of the nation, bringing productivity and honour to female leaders.

"Many women face a heavy burden of family responsibilities that could be shared with their husbands or partners. However, the negative perception of women's leadership capabilities starts at the family level, and this significantly affects their performance. Customs, traditions, and religious beliefs strongly contribute to perpetuating this situation," said Temba.

Contributing to the discussion, some male participants shared provocative images and mentioned that women leaders at the ward, village, and hamlet levels face various challenges related to the intersection of family and leadership responsibilities.

Concluding the dialogue, the participants emphasized that men should be ready to help their wives with household duties, support their needs, build self-confidence in their roles, and abandon male-dominated systems.

Haubi Ward consists of four villages: Haubi, Mwisanga, Mafai, and Ntomoko. Among these, only Haubi Village has eight hamlets and three female hamlet chairpersons. However, women in village councils face significant challenges in balancing leadership duties and family responsibilities, such as fetching water and taking care of their families.

 

TGNP yaendesha Mjadala wa 'Nafasi Salama' kwa wenza wa viongozi wanawake

 

 

Na Mwandishi wetu, Kondoa

Mtandao wa Kijinsia Nchini (TGNP) kwa kushirikiana na Mfuko wa Aghakan(AKF-T) kupitia mradi wa ‘’SHE LEADS’’(Mwanamke Ongoza) kwenye Halmashauri ya Wilaya Kondoa Mkoani Dodoma, imeendesha Mjadala wa nafasi salama ‘safe space’ na baadhi ya Wanaume wenza wa Viongozi wanawake wanaotoka katika vitongoji na vijiji vya kata ya Haubi .

Akiongoza mjandala huo mwezehaji kutoka TGNP, Deogratius Temba, amesema lengo la mjadala huo ni kubadilisha Mtazamo,Mila na Desturi hasi kuhusu Ushiriki wa Wanawake kwenye nafasi za Uongozi na kuongeza ushirikiano wa wenza katika kuongeza ufanisi kwa viongozi walioko madarakani.

Ameongeza kuwa kuna kila haja ya wanaume wenye wake viongozi kuwasaidia wake zao  baadhi ya majukumu ambayo yamezoeleka ni ya wanawake hasa ya kijinsia ili kuwapunguzia viongozi wanawake mzigo wa kazi na kuwawezesha kutekeleza majukumu ya kiuongozi kwa manufaa ya Taifa na kuleta tija na heshima kwa viongozi wanawake.

“wanawake wengi, wanakabiliwa na mlundikano wa majukumu mazito ya kifamilia, ambayo yangeweza kufaywa na wanaume au wenza wao. Lakini pia, mtazamo hasi juu ya uwezo wa wanawake kuongoza unaanzia kwenye ngazi ya familia, hii ina athiri kwa kiasi kikubwa utendaji wao, Mila na desturi, misimamo ya kiimani inachochea sana kurudisha nyuma hii hali” alisema Temba.

Wakichangia mjadala baadhi ya Washiriki(wanaume) kupitia Picha chokoziwamesema wanawake viongozi ngazi ya kata,vijiji na vitongoji wanakumbwa na changamoto mbalimbali zinazohusiana na mwingiliano wa majukumu ya Kifamilia pamoja na Uongozi

Wakihitimisha mjadala huo washiriki hao wamesema wanaume wanapaswa kuwa tayari kuwasaidia wake zao majukumu ya nyumbani,kuwapa ushirikiano kupitia mahitaji yao ,kuwajengea uwezo wa kujiamini wanaposhiriki kwenye majukum yao pamoja kuachana na tabia ya mifumo dume.

Kata ya Haubi, ina vijiji Vinne ambavyo ni Haubi, Mwisanga, Mafai na Ntomoko, kati ya hivyo, kijiji cha Haubi pekee chenye vitongoji vinane (8) ndio vina wenyeviti wa vitongoji wanawake watatu (3). Lakini pia, wanawake walioko katika Halmasahuri za vijiji wanakumbana na changamoto kubwa ya kuacha majukumu ya kiuongozi na kutumia muda mwingi kwenye shughuli za kifamilia kama kutafuta maji na kuhudumia familia.