Activists advocate gender equality

Dar es Salaam. Gender activists in the country have called for incorporation of gender related issues in the local government plan so as to use it as a tool of stemming the tide of gender inequality.

It was the main issue during yesterday’s discussion when gender practitioners and executives from different local councils converged for a conference that focused on gender issues in local governments.

Speaking during the discussion Prof Ruth Meena, a retired lecturer of political science at the University of Dar es Salaam, said incorporating gender issues in local governments will help eliminate gender inequality.

“Implementing this gender mainstream first at the lower level will be easy for it to be applicable at national level in the near future and we expect by 2020 gender inequality will be history,” explained Prof Meena.

In addition, she said part of the agenda is to involve discussion on making menstrual hygiene facilities to be part of the school equipment.

“Menstrual hygiene facilities should be available at schools just like other equipment, which are available at schools such as text books and the likes,” she said.

Absence of pads in schools has contributed to rising number of dropouts and irregular attendance of classes during their menstrual periods because fearing embarrassment.

For his part, the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) board chairman, Mr Asseni Muro, said incorporating gender issues in the local government level is the first step towards making it a national strategy.

“Gender equality can only be attained if we start by looking for solution at the lower level and getting rid of those gaps to create a society that believes in equality” he explained.