MOST often during political elections in Tanzania and across the world, women face a number of gender-based barriers to leadership, something which contributes to their defeat.

 Recently, the Tanzania Gender Networking Programme (TGNP) in collaboration with the Coady International Institute brought together a number of women who vied for different leadership positions in last year’s civic polls.

On November 27th, 2024 Tanzanians voted for their leaders at local government level whereas posts being vied for included 12,280 village chairpersons, 4,264 street chairpersons, 63,886 hamlet chairpersons, 230,834 village council members and 21,320 street committee members.

The facilitator of a two-day training on psycho-social support, Mayasa Kalinga mentioned several factors which contributes to women being defeated in elections including gender inequality, harassment, psychological torture, cultural norms and stereotypes.

Traditional beliefs often prioritize male leadership, placing women primarily in domestic roles. This perspective limits women's opportunities in leadership positions.

According to her, women are under-represented in political and corporate leadership roles. This lack of representation perpetuates the belief that women are not suited for leadership.

Although women's access to education has improved, disparities remain. Limited access to higher education can hinder women's qualifications for leadership roles. At times, women face discrimination in hiring and promotions. Biases against women can result in fewer opportunities for advancement.

Kalinga said that women may lack mentorship and networking opportunities that are often available to their male counterparts, making it harder to navigate career paths.

“Many women are burdened with household responsibilities, which can limit their availability and time for leadership roles. Although there are policies aimed at promoting gender equality, enforcement can be weak, and there may be gaps in legislation that fail to protect women's rights in leadership,” stated Kalinga.

Women in leadership positions may face harassment and violence, which can deter them from pursuing or maintaining their leadership roles.

To address the above mentioned barriers, she suggested for a multifaceted approach, including policy reforms, educational initiatives and cultural shifts to promote gender equality.

TGNP Senior Programme Officer—Training and Capacity Building, Anna Sangai said they have collaborated with the Coady International Institute to organized the training taking into consideration that psycho-social support is crucial for individuals who experience electoral loss. 

She said such training helps women in emotional recovery and validation of feelings.

Losing an election can lead to disappointment, sadness and frustration. Psycho-social support provides a safe space for individuals to express and validate these emotions.

Support can help individuals develop healthy coping strategies to deal with the emotional aftermath of the loss. Social connection, community support: Engaging with peers and supporters can foster a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.

Psycho-social support encourages continued engagement within the community, helping individuals maintain professional and personal connections. Regular support can mitigate potential mental health issues that may arise from the stress of losing an election.

Psycho-social support can guide individuals toward seeking professional mental health services if needed. Such kind of support can inspire individuals to remain engaged in political or community activities, fostering resilience and motivation for future campaigns.

Sara Katanga from Kivule Ward in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam Region commended TGNP for the training saying it has helped her navigate the complex emotions and challenges following an electoral loss.

She warned that there is no bigger sin than that of losing hope. “Politics is life; we need to struggle and move forward.”

Ashura Singano from Saranga Ward in Ubungo District, Dar es Salaam said that leadership is passion. She said the training motivated het to continue pursuing her political dreams. Singano urged fellow aspirants to also vie for political positions in this year’s General Election.

Josephine Chamvanga from Mabwepande Ward commended TGNP for the training, saying it has fostered resilience and promoted mental well-being, it has enabled her to move forward positively and constructively.

Reassessing aspirations after an electoral defeat is a vital step in personal and professional growth. One should take time to understand what truly matters to him or her, such as community service, leadership, or social change. 

Christina Shembilu urged fellow electoral losers to seek leadership opportunities. “Look for leadership positions in local organizations or community groups that align with your interests.”

Rehema Mfaume said: “Consider further education, workshops, or training in areas that can enhance your skills and knowledge, such as public speaking, campaign management, or policy analysis.”

She further suggested them to keep up with political trends, community issues and public policy developments to remain engaged and informed.

Meanwhile, Rose Mnyasenga advised fellow trainees to reconnect with their supporters. Maintain relationships with those who supported your campaign is crucial as they can offer encouragement and new opportunities.

She added: It is important for us to remain open to unexpected opportunities that may arise, whether in politics or other fields.