Deputy PM Biteko calls for support of women in leadership

Dar es Salaam. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko, has called on Tanzanians to support female candidates in the upcoming general elections, stressing that women should be elected based on merit, not favoritism.

Speaking at The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative Gala organized by Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL) on March 7, 2025, Dr Biteko highlighted the persistent barriers women face in leadership and urged them to break those barriers by contesting in large numbers.

“I urge women to set a new record by running for leadership positions. Male candidates must also refrain from using offensive language or demeaning remarks against women,” he stated.

Dr Biteko emphasized that women should not only be voters or participants in campaigns but also candidates who can drive transformative leadership across the country.

“We cannot achieve national transformation if women are excluded from the decision-making process,” he added.

He further encouraged women to use this year’s elections as an opportunity to contest in more constituencies and wards.

“I urge male candidates: when competing against a woman, abandon any abusive language based on her gender. One of the greatest challenges women face in leadership is not just promoting their policies but also overcoming a system that has historically held them back,” Dr Biteko said.

He noted that women face dual challenges in leadership—contending with both the competition and societal expectations—whereas men only face one. This dynamic often puts women at a disadvantage, he explained, urging them to contest elections and fight for their rightful place in leadership.

“Women must not wait for opportunities to be given to them. Instead, they should actively seek out, fight for, and make the best use of those opportunities, just as men do,” he said.

Dr Biteko also highlighted the impact of climate change on women, urging them to take an active role in advocating for environmental conservation.

He linked the clean energy agenda to women’s roles in households, saying, “As we promote clean cooking energy, you should take the lead in ensuring its adoption. Tell your husbands, ‘For me to cook you good food, I need clean energy.’”

He lauded the five-year journey of The Citizen Rising Woman Initiative, which has published over 250 articles highlighting and empowering women. Dr Biteko challenged institutions, including MCL, to continue creating more leadership opportunities for women.

“Change must start at home. I expect to see significant progress when we meet again. Take Tanesco as an example—four men served as deputy directors for years before a woman was appointed. Her leadership resulted in a transformative turnaround. We need more of that,” he emphasized.

Dr. Biteko also referenced Tanzania’s progress in promoting gender equality, guided by the 1995 Beijing Declaration, in which Tanzanian ‘Mama’ Gertrude Mongela played a crucial role. The declaration called for ensuring equal participation of women in all sectors.

“Tanzania has made significant strides in empowering women, lifting them from poverty, improving healthcare, expanding decision-making opportunities, and promoting human rights. However, we must continue these discussions to assess where we are excelling and where improvements are still needed,” Dr Biteko concluded.

Minister of Information, Culture, and Sports, Prof Palamagamba Kabudi, also emphasized the importance of gender equality, citing Mwalimu Julius Nyerere’s writings from 1944, which stated that intelligence is not determined by gender, a message he reiterated in his 1968 essay Ujamaa na Maendeleo Vijijini.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Albert Chalamila echoed the importance of economic empowerment for women, particularly through improving financial accessibility for young female entrepreneurs.

“Systems are essential for enabling women’s progress. According to the 2022 Population and Housing Census, Dar es Salaam has 2.7 million women, making up 51.7 percent of the population. Notably, 26.4 percent of them own buildings, showcasing significant developmental progress driven by the Rising Woman initiative,” he said.

He concluded by acknowledging the indispensable role of women in Tanzania’s economy and reaffirming the city’s commitment to supporting their growth and success.