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JF-Expert Member
- Jan 2, 2012
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STATEMENT BY HON. HAMAD RASHID MOHAMED (M.P, FABRM) WAWI CONSTITUENCY, PEMBA AND HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE UNITED REPUPLIC OF TANZANIA, 14 OCTOBER 2014, GENEVA, SWITZERLAND
THEME: DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: AS A TOOL FOR ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY AND ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN A CASE OF CONSTITUTION MAKING IN TANZANIA.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Parliamentarians,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, my delegation wishes to commend you for your able leadership in presiding this meeting.
As I take the floor, I wish to inform this important meeting that, for the first time since the formation of the Union Government in 1964, the United Republic of Tanzania undertook to engage in the new constitution making process. The process emerged following a public appeal that there are issues that requires to be addressed in order to update and strengthen the constitution consistent to the emerging challenges of 21st century as well as current and future expectations of Tanzanian citizens.
Mr. President,
We have been engaged in a very inclusive constitutional review process for 2 years, convened a Constitutional Assembly which has concluded a final draft just a week ago. The conclusion of the constitution process will culminate into a referendum for the adoption of the new constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. The final stage of the referendum is planned to take place later.
I can assure this meeting that the task was enormous and transparent during the whole work process. As such, the outcome has been appreciated by the general public.
In the outcome document, we have managed to incorporate many new issues that reflect aspirations of Tanzanians from all walks of life. Through the constitutional assembly, we ensured that every group is well represented and therefore, the views of the representatives featured in the draft constitutional document. Despite divergent views from the representatives, the constitutional assembly ensured that the document is consistent to the rule of law and good governance.
Mr. President,
Citing few examples in the proposed draft constitution, the most important aspect among others includes the inclusion of press freedom in the proposed constitution.
The focus was to increase transparency and rule of law in the Government machinery. We believe, this approach will enforce the Government programs to be carried out in a transparent manner and compel public officials to act effectively. We also believe that, from our experience, It will also creates a room for the public right to access information from all public offices for the sake of promoting good governance and transparency which is key to the fight against Gender violence.
Mr. President,
One of the successes in the constitutional amendment is that, for the sake of Gender Representation in Parliament, we have abandoned a quota system of nomination of women from the political parties and instead, adopted in the document on how women representation will be in the house.
The document now clearly states in one of the Articles that the representation of MPs in the house will be 50/50, which is an increase from the current 30% quota in the house. This is being adopted with a view to ensure that there is greater representation of women in politics. This approach will not apply only in Parliament but also in all Public Offices in Tanzania. This will empower women and children to get a constitutional protection which will be a mandatory to all public and private institutions.
As you can see, currently, women parliamentarians in Tanzania are appointed to special seats by parties, but under the proposed constitution, political parties would lose the power to nominate women to parliamentary seats. Instead, the law decides that numbers in Parliament should be 50/50. This will prevent women from social harassment and discrimination that has been taking place in party level.
To conclude Mr. President, the review of the constitution has breathed in a fresh air to the future of women and children in the United Republic of Tanzania.
I thank you for your attention.
THEME: DEMOCRACY AND GOOD GOVERNANCE: AS A TOOL FOR ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY AND ENDING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN A CASE OF CONSTITUTION MAKING IN TANZANIA.
Mr. President,
Distinguished Parliamentarians,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
At the outset, my delegation wishes to commend you for your able leadership in presiding this meeting.
As I take the floor, I wish to inform this important meeting that, for the first time since the formation of the Union Government in 1964, the United Republic of Tanzania undertook to engage in the new constitution making process. The process emerged following a public appeal that there are issues that requires to be addressed in order to update and strengthen the constitution consistent to the emerging challenges of 21st century as well as current and future expectations of Tanzanian citizens.
Mr. President,
We have been engaged in a very inclusive constitutional review process for 2 years, convened a Constitutional Assembly which has concluded a final draft just a week ago. The conclusion of the constitution process will culminate into a referendum for the adoption of the new constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania. The final stage of the referendum is planned to take place later.
I can assure this meeting that the task was enormous and transparent during the whole work process. As such, the outcome has been appreciated by the general public.
In the outcome document, we have managed to incorporate many new issues that reflect aspirations of Tanzanians from all walks of life. Through the constitutional assembly, we ensured that every group is well represented and therefore, the views of the representatives featured in the draft constitutional document. Despite divergent views from the representatives, the constitutional assembly ensured that the document is consistent to the rule of law and good governance.
Mr. President,
Citing few examples in the proposed draft constitution, the most important aspect among others includes the inclusion of press freedom in the proposed constitution.
The focus was to increase transparency and rule of law in the Government machinery. We believe, this approach will enforce the Government programs to be carried out in a transparent manner and compel public officials to act effectively. We also believe that, from our experience, It will also creates a room for the public right to access information from all public offices for the sake of promoting good governance and transparency which is key to the fight against Gender violence.
Mr. President,
One of the successes in the constitutional amendment is that, for the sake of Gender Representation in Parliament, we have abandoned a quota system of nomination of women from the political parties and instead, adopted in the document on how women representation will be in the house.
The document now clearly states in one of the Articles that the representation of MPs in the house will be 50/50, which is an increase from the current 30% quota in the house. This is being adopted with a view to ensure that there is greater representation of women in politics. This approach will not apply only in Parliament but also in all Public Offices in Tanzania. This will empower women and children to get a constitutional protection which will be a mandatory to all public and private institutions.
As you can see, currently, women parliamentarians in Tanzania are appointed to special seats by parties, but under the proposed constitution, political parties would lose the power to nominate women to parliamentary seats. Instead, the law decides that numbers in Parliament should be 50/50. This will prevent women from social harassment and discrimination that has been taking place in party level.
To conclude Mr. President, the review of the constitution has breathed in a fresh air to the future of women and children in the United Republic of Tanzania.
I thank you for your attention.
