Factors Hindering Women’s Participation In Tanzanian Politics: A Case Of Kinondoni District

ABSTRACT

Women have been lagged behind in many issues from political, social and economic issues compared to men. In Tanzania the number of women in government posts and even other non political positions is small to compare with men.

This study was aimed at finding out the factors that make women paying less attention in politics to compare with men in Kinondoni district. Also the study explored the women‟s awareness in politics and voting turnout as part and parcel of politics.

The study used both secondary and primary data in the process of collection and also questionnaire and interview were used as the methods for collecting the data.

The study area was Kinondoni district and the simple random sampling method was used where by sixty eight (68) respondents from five (5) wards were interviewed. The study interviewed all the ward executive officers from all respective wards. Also the study interviewed 10 women who hold several positions in different political parties. In relation to that thirty three (33) women and twelve (12) men who are normal members of different political parties and those who do not identify themselves to any party were interviewed. Intensive interview was made to six (6) interviewees who are both men and women. Furthermore the study questioned two (2) women members of parliament.

Data were collected through questionnaire survey, interviews and secondary data were obtained through document review. The quantitative data were analyzed using statistical package of social science (SPSS version 20) and quantitative data from interviews were analyzed by content analysis technique.

The study found that the problems affecting women from participating in politics are not confined in a single factor but are accelerated by women themselves, other actors and the government itself.

The study conclude that in order for the women to get rid of this they have to equip themselves psychologically and to see politics as a job of everyone in the society.