President Samia Suluhu Hassan has called upon her counterparts from the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) to continue enacting policies and legal frameworks, which advocate for the promotion of women economic empowerments. According to a statement issued by the Director of Presidential Communications, Mr. Jaffar Haniu, the President made the call during the AWLN virtual meeting on Sunday, focusing on the economic empowerment of women in various areas of development.
This is the second time President Samia is taking part in such a similar meeting after the first one that was held on May 23, this year, where she pledged to appoint more women in leadership positions, a move aimed at achieving the 50-50 gender parity in the government. "In further promoting the economic empowerment of women, Tanzania has introduced women economic empowerment councils in various levels across the country, as among key pillars of the AWLN," said President Samia.
She noted that through the previous meeting convened in May, this year; it influenced her to effectively execute her duties which include the implementation of the country's development agendas. Similarly, they agreed on mutual cooperation in tackling various challenges facing women, especially in conflict prone areas in the African continent. The AWLN is guided under six key principles whose main goals are to stimulate the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the African Union (AU) 2063 Agenda.
In a related development, President Samia confirmed to take part at a virtual meeting for male leaders that is being organised by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Felix Tshisekedi on Thursday this week. During the May meeting that was convened by former Liberia President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the Head of State reiterated the government's determination to reduce women and children's mortality rate as well as improve their access to social services such as health, water, education and infrastructure as highlighted in the National Five-Year Development Plan.
The meeting was aimed at exchanging leadership experience and briefing each other on various opportunities available for women in the continent. President Samia further vowed to enhance transparency in public spending, as well as to intensify efforts aimed at curbing COVID-19 pandemic. President Samia said her government would continue addressing issues related to climate change, which has resulted in poor rains and affected agricultural production.
She also used the platform to call on various development partners to increase cooperation with Tanzania. President Samia implored her fellow leaders to continue with the practice of exchanging experience, a move which she said, will help the continent to make progress and further enhance social welfare of its people, especially women and children, who are facing a myriad of challenges.
She extended appreciation to the women leaders, who participated in the meeting aimed at sharing their experience, pledging further cooperation as well as partnering with other international institutions for mutual benefits. The female leaders congratulated President Samia for taking over as the President of Tanzania, pledging to give her the necessary cooperation in all areas including issues relating to development, social welfare, women rights, regional peace and security as well as curbing the spread and socio-economic impact of COVID-19 pandemic.
During the meeting, the leaders used the platform to inform President Samia on the various financing opportunities, which can be sought from international organisations, including technology and various development skills, urging her to make use of such opportunities to fulfill her goals of propelling the country's economy.