Supporting intra-party democracy

In Tanzania, women are still underrepresented as candidates, elected, and appointed officials. Inconsistencies in the outcome of candidate nominations, electoral results and appointment is largely a result of weaknesses in the legal, regulatory and institutional framework lacking specific gender responsive provisions and enforcement mechanisms. There is political commitment to tackle barriers to women’s participation though.

To build awareness of members of the Governance, Constitution and Legal Affairs Committee about upcoming amendments to increase the political participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in cooperation with National Democratic Institute and Ushiriki Tanzania, a CSOs coalition, organized a workshop on June 17 to 18, 2023, in Dodoma. The parliamentary workshop on internal democracy and inclusion in political and electoral reforms provided the opportunity to analyze and discuss the Political Parties Act, Electoral Act, Electoral Expenses Act, exchange on proposed amendments, and build consensus. Among the top issues discussed include women's quotas, party financing and subsidies for women's participation, and addressing violence against women in politics (VAWP).

Starting with the general elections in 2020, FES and its partners published a series of papers with recommendations with regard to candidate selection models, and quota models, among others “Intraparty Candidate Nomination - A Gender Analysis”.

In April 2022, FES, NDI and WiLDAF Tanzania, also Ushiriki Tanzania alliance member, had already organized a dialogue to set strategic actions for the improvement of the legal and policy frameworks for women’s political participation in Tanzania. The recommendations are a useful tool in view of upcoming debates.

Together, these papers provide valuable information on inclusion and gender balance elements of party politics in Tanzania.

Download the publication below