For a while now, I have had a gnawing thought in my appraisal of all things Tanzania especially with regards to the state of the nation. This was initiated by a couple of articles in the Forum that highlighted certain “women issues” – Inter-racial Marriages; African Men in the Diaspora… The content of such write-ups aside, I was fascinated by the sheer volume of responses by women respondents! The attention paid to such articles betrayed a certain propensity to certain topics as opposed to the usual dose of politics that tend to dominate most men-driven topics.
This non-scientific observation was equally spurred on by anecdotal observations at “Tanzanian” parties where distinctions readily emerge physically and in subject matters – men folk either devolve to football or politics, whilst the women folk tend to focus on more domestic related matters – this is regardless of age or professional status
However, in more recent times, such as the death of Corazon Acquino of the Philippines brought home the history of their democracy, and the role women played in reversing the fortunes of that country. This highlights a possible template of the potential contribution of our women folk in Tanzania in shaping the political landscape, and power dynamics of the country.
The role of women in men’s personal everyday existence – the home, relationships, extra- marital affairs… are eerily absent on the main political landscape in any leadership capacity of note! The adage that behind every successful man is a great woman rings true but equally would be the rejoinder that behind every unsuccessful man is the failed pursuit of a woman or women! The over-bearing presence of women in the living existence of men is revealing – from adolescence, the need to please mothers; the intoxicating agony of first love; the angst of unrequited love; the sex-crazed testosterone-charged puberty phase; the allure of the older woman – Ms Robinson syndrome otherwise known as the Cougar phenomenon! The pursuit of a life partner; the feigned subservience of men for marital bliss; the need for escape from the attentions of a life-partner through extra-marital affairs; the need to recapture one’s youthful prowess by pursuing young tails – the Aristo phenomenon – universally known as “Sugar daddy syndrome”! Every stage, every phase of men’s folk development or evolution -for good or bad – has the unrelenting heady influence of women. A notion aptly captured in the iconic “woman-on-my-mind” painting depicting thoughts of the famous Psycho-analyst, Sigmund Freud!
With such overwhelming influence in the life of men, it becomes particularly poignant that the history or considerations of Tanzanian Leadership, women folk, are distinctly absent! It appears never to have even features as an option! Begs the question, why is this? If women have such a domineering presence in men’s existence, why is there the unspoken taboo of a Woman President for Tanzania? Are women considered inherently incapable of leading the country?
The history of Tanzania across varying groupings are replete with legends and present-day instances of able and competent leadership – Bibi Titi , Getrude Mongela , Zakia Megji and recently Asha Rose Migiro – pardon the paucity and hazy recollection – not being a Tanzanian history buff nor an expert on women in political position in Tanzania – but hope the point is being made – no doubt the Tanzanian women folk will fill in the erroneous gaps!
My contention is slightly deductive. Men’s pursuit of power either political or monetary is ultimately motivated by the need to measure up to standards set by the women folk. The history of Tanzanian political leadership has not boasted of any significant role being played by women. The current state of the nation is directly attributable to men’s leadership failings – either in the lack of cogent policies; wanton pursuit of political power; or appropriation of wealth. Consequently if ultimately all such acts are being committed to impress our women folk – an indirect causality – would it not make sense to have our women folk run things? Women certainly do not go out of their way to impress men as men tend to do – where women pursue men, it is to fulfil the survival driven instinct of protection, security, and comfort.
What happens where all of these desires are catered for? Men will no longer have to keel over each other to prove their sense of machismo in order to impress or be impressive – women, given their innate nurturing maternal instincts would better able to cater for the greater good rather than the selfish winner-takes-all self-serving interests’ men are usually prone to!
A win-win ideal for all – corruption could be eradicated; realistic policies that cater for the populace would be enacted; men are relieved of the constant pressures of proving their masculinity; politics as usual based on egos will be eliminated; ethnic and religious conflicts will be a thing of the past!
May have exaggerated on the possibilities a bit but it is nonetheless a worthy alternative that is yet to broached or explored! Of all the many excuses on offer for the state of the nation, there is yet to be a significant indictment for corruption of any directly elected or indirectly instituted woman leader. In the spirit of seeking viable options or alternatives – I submit the cause for a Woman President for Tanzania in 2010!
If possible, I would like to appeal to all Readers, to dedicate this posting and thread only to our women folk – a useful opportunity to hear from their perspective on the state of the nation, their ideas; visions; thought; alternative that they could offer to get us all out of our collective jam! A not too atypical and familiar scenario that men often find themselves in! Time for the men folk to keep quiet for once on politics and let our women folk take centre stage for a change!
In hip-hop parlance – Ladies! Throw your hands up!!!
No doubt, written as a man – assumptions and notions of stereotype are strewn all over – I am assured that such errors may be excused or put right!
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Yona Fares Maro
I.T. Specialist and Digital Security Consultant
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From: Yona Fares Maro
Date: Sun, Aug 16, 2009 at 12:43 PM
Subject: This is Specially for Tanzanian Women – A Dedication