Women’s forum formed after VP push

Morogoro. Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassani’s directive recently to establish a forum for women in every district in the country has started being implemented in Ulanga District, Morogoro.

After electing a few leaders, the forum for women in the district is scheduled for launch on Friday next week.

Speaking to The Citizen on Wednesday, Ulanga District Social Development officer Jackline Mpongoliana said they had implemented the VP’s directive, which would help bring women together and discuss economic opportunities for them, including fighting against all acts of gender-based violence and discrimination.

She explained that women in Ulanga District would grow economically and help fight what dehumanised them only if they utilised their forum to unite and fight for their rights.

“Women have the great power of implementing development issues, but they have been countering various challenges, including failing to utilise available opportunities in their areas and being discouraged by some men,” said Ms Jackline.

She noted that she was confident that the women’s forum would be successful in rejecting all forms of victimisation in society and would also enable them to claim inheritance rights and have one voice in fighting for their rights. The secretary of the women’s forum, Ms Fatuma Mtemangani, said they were still looking for leaders at ward level after they were able to have leaders at district level.

She said so far at least 15 wards had leaders in the positions of chairperson, secretary and treasurer, whereas six wards were still looking for their leaders.

“I hope that the women’s forum will be of great help to women due to what they have been experiencing, especially when they are denied their rights. After everything is in place, we will be able to take collective action against the perpetrators of gender-based violence, sexual abuse and discrimination against women,” noted Ms Fatuma.