Hon. Minister Sophia Simba (MP) of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender and Children of the United Republic of Tanzania with CCDO orphans, sat at the center and from the left is honorable Ritta Kabati (MP) and from the right is the Iringa Municipality honourable Mayor Mwamwindi, the day they visited our Centre. These children need permanent Centre for advanced vocational training courses. Therefore, you are requested to join with us by giving your humanely donation money for the construction of our Europabook International orphanage rehabilitation centre.
SPEECH OF THE THE MINISTER OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, GENDER AND CHILDREN HON. SOPHIA SIMBA DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE PROJECT FOR RAISING AWARENESS OF TANZANIAN WOMEN IN UNDERSTANDING GOOD GOVERNANCE ISSUES,
IRINGA, 8th JUNE 2013.
- Leadership of the Children Care Development Organization,
- The representative of African Women’s Development Fund from Ghana
- Regional Commissioner of Iringa Region
- Chairperson of CMM Iringa branch
- Chairperson of UWT Iringa
- Secretary General of Parents in Iringa region
- Honorable Rita Kabati – Special Seat MP of Iringa
- Bishop Mdengella of ELCT – Iringa Diocese
- Sheikh of Iringa Region
- Your lordship Mayor of the Municipality of Iringa
- Honorable District Commissioner of Iringa
- Honorable Director of the Municipality
- Honorable Director of Iringa Rural District Council
- University lecturers of Iringa
- The Media Houses
- Distinguished invited guests; Ladies and Gentlemen
First of all I thank the Almighty God full of mercies for enabling us to meet here in this important ceremony.
I take this opportunity to thank the leadership of Children Care Development Organization (CCDO), the people of Iringa and the rest of other Tanzanians for inviting me to join you in the launching of the project that aims at building awareness of Tanzanian especially women on good governance issues. I commend you so much!
The government on its part recognizes the importance of NGOs in bringing development for our citizens. Therefore we join you a hand of support on this good cause and we will continue to cooperate with you.
In addition, in a very special way I would like to take this opportunity to extend our appreciation to the Development of Women in Africa (African Women's Development Fund) from Ghana for financing the project. We thank you very much.
Fellow Citizens,
I have been informed that this project aims to provide educational awareness on the issues of good governance to all councilors of Iringa Region, journalists, leaders of government sectors and civil society, leaders of local governments, leaders of religious denominations and various stakeholders in development issues. It is my belief all those who will benefit from this project will use best the knowledge that they will receive for the development of the society of Iringa and the nation at large.
Moreover, in the case of women, the education you will get should be the catalyst of motivating you to appear and contest in various leadership positions in politics, in the coming elections of the year 2014 to 2015.
Fellow Citizens,
The main indicator of good governance is peace and tranquility from the family to the national level. It is a fact that in Tanzania we have the right to be proud of the peace that we have because good governance is sustainable from the era of the late Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Kambarage together with the President of The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, the late Abed Amani Karume. This phenomenon manifests itself in various areas in the country due to effective leadership under CCM.
Fellow Citizens,
Peace is a sole virtue that isn't to be compared with anything, in any nation on earth. The nation without peace finds itself in instability which forces the country to enter into serious problems that are then not forgotten by the existing generations and generations to come.
Countries like Rwanda, Burundi, Somalia, and Congo are examples of countries that have found themselves in civil conflicts due to the lack of peace.
Tanzanians should note that any nation without good governance is similar to a vehicle without fuel which could stop at any time anywhere.
Citizens ought to not be driven by some people who want to eliminate the peace of our country because of their personal or political ideology to be seen that they are the best. The CCM government shall ensure that it strengthens and maintains good governance for our nation to not involve in civil unrests as it is in our neighboring countries.
We should understand that many of the conflicts that occur in the country, the cause are personal ideologies of people who want to disturb the peace of our country so that the Government of CCM seems to have not done anything for the development of its people.
The CCM government says that good governance shall not tolerate such people and will ensure that they are mentioned to the public regularly in order to mend their ways to maintain the peace that we continue having as a country since we got our independence.
Fellow Citizens,
As Tanzanians we must realize that our country is one among the countries that should be proud of the many resources that we have, including national parks, minerals etc. Why not be proud of these resources given to us by Almighty God, and instead we get into nonproductive conflicts in the country?
Women will agree with me that, when chaos breaks out, it is we, the elderly, the disabled and the children who are the greatest victims.
Leaders of the Citizens ought to understand that good governance is not inflammatory issued statements, but it is ensuring that you collaborate with Citizens in decision-making in order to remove unnecessary conflicts.
"I wish I emphasize that the responsibility of creating, maintaining Integrity, Peace, Accountability and Transparency in our country is not an issue concerning the government alone, but also the responsibility of the entire community."
My Fellow Women,
I have been informed that your motto is "WITHOUT EMPOWERMENT A WOMAN CAN MAKE IT". This public is an example sufficient to show that you have decided to cooperate and attain a better life in your families and national development in general. Well done.
The Community recognizes that the cornerstone of our family is a woman. A woman is the mother, the nurse, the one who does hard and difficult works in our households’ welfare.
We all know that the issue of a woman's assigned place in the family and society as a whole, still has been a major problem in many communities. Still women do not participate fully in development processes, their thoughts contributions are not valued, despite the fact that women are half of all the Tanzanian citizens and are the biggest producers in the country's economy.
So it is my hope that the knowledge of good governance will help to overcome the prevailing patriarchal system and understand that women and men are equal and have the right to participate fully in the development of the country.
Fellow Citizens,
In women's economic empowerment, the government under my ministry has established the Women Development Fund (WDF) in collaboration with various councils where loans are given to women in order to get capital for income generating activities.
In addition the Ministry has also established the Tanzania Women Bank (TWB). I call upon the citizens of Iringa region to join Tanzania Women's Bank branches when they are open for business here in the region.
Fellow Citizens,
I am very pleased to see many groups of entrepreneurs here in Iringa, which are given loans by Children Care Development Organization. I would like to remind you that the loans that you were given should be used for activities that were intended. In addition you must pay the loans on time. Remember the cure of a debt is to pay the debt
Women along with our entrepreneurial activities I urge you to not stop taking good care of your families especially children. Look at their school progress; give them the best food for their health and growth.
Fellow Citizens,
Finally I call again reminding women to come and seek various opportunities being planned by the government. We must be part of economic, political and social reforms. Let us change. Opportunities will not come knocking at your door. Go out and follow it. Let us remove the silence.
Moreover I thank you again for inviting me to be the guest of honor at this ceremony. Having said that I declare that the project for raising awareness of Tanzanian women on issues of good governance has been officially launched.
God bless Tanzania
God bless Africa.
Thank you for your attention
Children Care Development Organization is hereby to announce the winners of essay competition for Secondary Schools of Iringa Region in Tanzania under support from the funded project of “increasing women awareness on good governance in Tanzania” by the African Women’s Development Fund (AWDF). The essay competition was as follows; despite the presence of movements for women equality in the world, still women are not actively participating in different leadership activities in Tanzania. The school student competitors were required to explain why women are still behind in participating and contesting in leadership positions even after celebration of 50 years of Tanzania independence, what should be done to promote and increase the number of women who are fully participating in leadership activities in Tanzania? Please see the presented essay of the first winner Ms Shindo Sungura, 19 years, Form V, female, student from Iringa Girls Secondary in front of the Minister of Community Development, Gender and Children honourable Minister Sophia Simba (MP) of the United Republic of Tanzania and each winner was awarded a computer under sponsorship from the African Women Development Fund (AWDF) in Ghana. See her photo above and her essay below;
In 1979 the organization called “CEDAW” was formed. This organization stated discrimination against women as gender based discrimination which hinders the exercise of human right. And the most notable conference for women – movements toward their right that held in Beijing China in 1995, the conference stimulated women especially in Tanzania to demand for their right from that time there is the presence of movement for women equality in the world.
In fact that since before independence there is no equity between male and female but after independence women are not more discriminated due to different reasons like the above one. But still 2011 (year after celebration of 50 years of Tanzania independence) women most of them are not actively participating in different leadership. And this is because of the following reasons;
Family accountability, as it seemed that women are the one who are responsible for child care than man as it become hardly for them to participate in leadership activities and contesting. For instance child care for teaching good behaviour.
Religious beliefs, this also aware some for women to participate in leadership activity because of worship of a certain religion. For instance it seemed in Quran (102:13-17) that women are not allowed to talk in front of majority especially a place where there is men, when they do so, they will enter at “JEHANAM”. So until nowadays Muslims use Quran and worship on this. By so doing that the women become very difficulty to participate in leadership for fear to going against the written document.
Low level of education, practically it seemed that women are not well educated than male because of beliefs in traditional wares from their relatives. In Tanzania there are few educated women but after 50 years of independence of Tanzania many women are still studying because in order to be a leader of Tanzania even in parliament members you must have degrees, masters and so force. By doing so now days women are studying for aiming of competition. In this case women become difficult on participating and contesting leadership because leadership needs a person who has education.
Lack of well confidence, also practically seemed that women have not confidence means they have not an ability of expressing themselves as it make them to fear that they can’t talk anything in front of majority. For instance in Iringa Girls Secondary School, when Tosamaganga High School came in our school and pointed one among of the girl to talk anything, she was shivering and nothing to talk. In this case women cannot participate in leadership because when you will be a leader, you must talk in front.
Based on hog-wash slogan, also this make aware some for women to participate in leadership because of different slogan, example “WANAWAKE TUKIWEZESHWA TUNAWEZA”, this make women to become laziness, they just wait for to be financed, when they are not financed it means they cannot do anything as well as not participating in leadership because without financed in chances of leadership means they cannot participate and contesting on it.
Financial problems, this also make difficult for a women to participate and contesting on leadership because of the tariffs enter in competition. For instance when you need to compete in members of parliament you must pay amount of money for getting a form. By so doing that there are women who have education but they don’t have money for getting form of engaging. Also this make a women not participating in leadership because even after celebration of 50 years of Tanzanian independence still form of leadership are selling.
Nevertheless those women are not participating and contesting in leadership because of not only the above reason, but also there are many other like traditional beliefs, the women are not homage women, negative attitude and so on.
The following are the ways of promoting and increase the number of women who are fully participating in leadership activity in Tanzania under the concept of increasing women awareness on good governance in Tanzania. And this ways based on women themselves because there are improvements made by government to women awareness even during and after celebration of Tanzania independence but still women are not participating in leadership example education, seats for women in parliament.
Women should participate in political matters, this can some how make a woman to feel openly to participate on leadership. For instance provide 15% of the seats for women in the parliament chances. In this case women should participate in political matters because chances are there.
Government should enroll the women student, the enroll of women students should concerned all levels of education in the lowest level to the highest level. For instance enrolling is for university women students, how about ordinary and advanced level, all of them government should enroll so as to make them very easy to get education and easy to participate and contesting in leadership.
Women should not follow some slogans which are made them become laziness. In Tanzania there are equity between males and females. Males are not financed and still they are well participating and contesting in leadership, why women be financed even that there is equity. In this case women and government should stop this.
Men should homage a women, also encourage the women to participate in leadership because when women seem Anna Makinda (Speaker of Tanzanian Parliament) hot homage with the member of parliament some time discourage a women to participate. So men should homage a woman.
Consitasia Jaccob Sanga reading a special remarks before the guest of honour Minister of Community Development ,Gender and Children honourable Sophia Simba (MP) of the United Republic of Tanzania during the day of launching our project of increasing women's awareness on good governance in Tanzania funded by the AWDF (African Women's Development Fund).
CCDO VICOBA Program
“There is a general consensus in the microfinance community that collective banking programs have given economic opportunities to millions of the world’s poorest people who otherwise may continue to suffer the cycle of extreme poverty; that offering small loans to women can lift a family from the depths of hunger, providing a way for women to feed and educate her children; and that participation in a microcredit group, overtime, can decrease domestic violence, and increase women’s self esteem and empowerment. It is agreed that microcredit is an important tool in the fight against extreme poverty; at the very least it is an opportunity, at most it is revolutionary”.
CCDO women’s VICOBA program was founded upon the belief that microcredit loans, when bundled with educational programming, can build social capital and increase the potential for women’s empowerment and success. It is this belief that created our VICOBA program.
The VICOBA program combines microcredit services with literacy, leadership development, health and basic business education into a single service reaching women in poor and rural areas in Iringa. Through the VICOBA program, clients receive a microcredit loan bundled with social and educational services, allowing them to create an opportunity for human sustainability, paying school fees to their kids, afford medication care to their health improvements, increased food security and empowerment.
Borrowers form groups attend training program, where they elect leaders, develop a business plan, and work with staff to ensure their success. Our clients invest their loans in activities in which they are already skilled such as farming, food processing and selling, raising chickens and livestock, operating a small shop, tailoring, construction, and restaurants and tourism. It is crucial that each borrower earn enough money to pay back their loan with small interest, participate in the savings program, and have enough to purchase necessities. When the first loan is successfully repaid, the borrower is eligible to apply for a second loan to expand her business. Two important things to keep in mind: CCDO’s loans money are given to women groups; and we do not make individual loans, credit is given only to borrowing groups.
“With my group, we have continued to receive a revolving loan fund opportunities from the CCDO Women’s VICOBA and microcredit soft loans provision Program. I’m succeeding with my shop business of different varieties of items, seeing it expand every loan cycle, and I feel a big change in my life.” – Madam, Hilalence Lihawa Client & Chairperson, CCDO VOCOBA program
TAKE ACTION
By donating or volunteering with CCDO on VICOBA and micro credit scheme program, you can help women create a brighter future for themselves and their families. We need a dynamic volunteer force to build awareness about microfinance and our other programs in Iringa, Tanzania. Your action can make it possible for us to provide opportunities to more and more women. For more information just read our reports from our Global Giving Organization partner by following this link http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/capacity-building-and-empowerment-project-of-iringa/updates/?utm_content=Your%20project%20report%20has%20been%20approved&utm_campaign=project-report-approved&utm_source=email2.globalgiving.org&utm_medium=email
<http://www.globalgiving.org/projects/capacity-building-and-empowerment-project-of-iringa/updates/?utm_content=Your%20project%20report%20has%20been%20approved&utm_campaign=project-report-approved&utm_source=email2.globalgiving.org&utm_medium=email>
We look forward to hearing from you!
DRAMA FESTIVAL
To address the issue of inequality, gender based violence, and other issues facing women in Southern Highlands of Tanzania, CCDO plan to design an annual drama competition, “Tuenzi zama zetu” Women in our microfinance program will be creating original plays highlighting their stories using music, drama, and dance. The theme for this program will be: Women, a force for peace, security and democracy!
By encouraging the idea of traditional music, dance, and drama in the local language, the culture of the area would be preserved, and the relevance of these issues to the community would be elevated. Due to the positive response from communities we see the event will have big success, and it will become a regional and nationally recognized event.
Our goal is to work for social justice, increased human security and women’s empowerment. We believe our program is relevant, provocative, and meaningful, creating unique opportunities for development and transformation in a region that has experienced much abandonment of their culture.
Chairperson of CCM rulling Party of Iringa Region and Miyomboni Ward Cancellor of Iringa Municipality Honourable Jesca Msambatavangu cerebrating with CCDO member during the event
