Source: Tanzania Daily News
WOMEN have been called upon to go out and challenge discrimination, claim their rights, and transform their societies instead of waiting to be favoured.

The call was made by Member of Parliament (MP) Ms Maryam Salum Msabah (Special Seats - CHADEMA) at Jamat-Khan Hall in Stone Town where CHADEMA women gathered to discuss women's development issues in the Isles. Maryam said it was a shame that many women still cannot speak out for their rights.

"This is a weakness that should be abandoned. We have to fight for our rights and not wait for help from men," she stressed.

The legislator appealed to her fellow members in the party to stand on their own in changing their social, economical, and political lives, and that concerted efforts are sure to guarantee a breakthrough.

Ms Naomi Kaihula, the CHADEMA Women Wing (BAWACHA) Secretary General, also said that women can excel without any assistance from men. "We should not be afraid, yes we can move on without necessarily having to lean on men," she noted.

She emphasized on the importance of education, saying that women would progress fast by having education, as she expressed concerns on ignorance, poverty and backwardness of most women.

However, CHADEMA women from Zanzibar raised concerns that the party's constitution does not recognize them, and that their contribution to the party has been weakened by their absence in the secretariat. "We have no representative from Zanzibar in the secretariat, the constitution should be revisited to accommodate CHADEMA women from Zanzibar," said Rahma Omar, at the meeting.

The meeting attracted women from districts and constituencies on Unguja Island.

• Tanzania