Capacity Building for Women legislatures

On 31st January 2016, the HSF supported one day induction training to TWPG (link) members to enable women them understand the required parliamentary processes and procedures. The training was held at the Msekwa Hall, Bunge grounds in Dodoma region.

The training was opened by Mama Anna Abdallah (former TWPG Chairlady) appreciated HSF’s support to TWPG since 2008. She congratulated Women Members of Parliament by being elected and appointed to work for Tanzanians. 

She urged women parliamentarians to value their dignity in and out of the parliament by respecting each other and whenever there is misunderstanding between them they should try to solve them peacefully.

Mama Abdallah also called upon elderly women parliamentarians to mentor the new ones whom most of them are youth for effective participation and implementation of their activities. 

The HSF Resident Representative, Julia Berger also provided an opening remarks whereby she ensured support to TWPG activities as she believes that women are the most effective change agents if they could be supported with knowledge and skills on how to perform their duties in improving women conditions and other marginalized group

Mrs. Berger believes that this intervention would help to improve and measure deliverables of women parliamentarians in a manner that will reflect the importance of a woman legislator within the framework of good governance

She also congratulated all women parliamentarians for their victory as she believes that it wasn’t easy for them to be where they are, they have passed through so many challenges but also expressed her appreciation to the outgoing leadership for their cooperation and hope for smooth operation with the new elected TWPG leaders

Mrs. Berger urged all women parliamentarians regardless of their party affiliation to utilize necessary opportunities arise within the group to address the gender cross cutting issues that affects each and every one of us unless TWPG won’t reach its goals that has been set in the 5 year strategic plan.

The training was for 129 participants, all women parliamentarians from all political parties with representation in the parliament. The turnout was about 120 participants where by 13 of them were the beneficiaries of the HSF women political leadership training program

Participants were equipped with knowledge on the parliamentary protective rights and values, protocols and mannerism, committee work, also learned how to frame their questions, procedures to submit their questions and how to cancel the already submitted question in case it has been answered somehow in one of the parliamentary session.

Despite of the induction facilitated by HSF, TWPG conducted other activities whereby together with their consultants they reviewed their drafted 5 years Strategic plan (2015-2020) as well as Constitution. Members had an opportunity to aired their views and recommendations for adjustments. The TWPG members’ also elected new TWPG leadership for 2015/2020 and the new Chairperson is Hon. Margareth Sitta, Vice Chairperson Hon. Suzan Lyimo, General Secretary Hon. Lorencia Bukwimba, Deputy Secretary Hon. Cecilia D. Paresso, Treasurer Hon. Ester Matiko and Leah Komanya Deputy Treasurer. Other executive committee members are Hon. Faida Bakari, Hon. Hadija Salum Ali, Hon. Amina Mollel, Hon. Zainabu Vulu, Angelina Sanga