What limits Tanzanian women’s participation in political leadership? - An investigation of discriminatory social norms

Groups that influence women’s participation in political leadership This study identified four ‘reference groups’ that play an important role in influencing women’s participation in political leadership in Tanzanian communities – influential individuals, women’s partners/husbands, women in their communities, and peers. [...] Female IDI participant, political leader, Mtwara RESEARCH BRIEFING // WHAT LIMITS TANZANIAN WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP? 4 Social norms that hamper women’s participation in political leadership A combination of social norms, beliefs and sanctions hamper women’s participation in political leadership in Tanzania. [...] Female FGD participant, Dodoma RESEARCH BRIEFING // WHAT LIMITS TANZANIAN WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP? 6 Other factors affecting women’s participation in political leadership Election expenses The party is supposed to support the Women in Tanzania are likely candidate financially, but it usually covers to be in an underprivileged expenses that are directly linked to the rallies. [...] Female FGD participant, Mwanza RESEARCH BRIEFING // WHAT LIMITS TANZANIAN WOMEN’S PARTICIPATION IN POLITICAL LEADERSHIP? 7 How to enable women’s participation in political leadership This study’s findings of patriarchal norms that act as barriers to women’s participation in political leadership in Tanzania, such as perceptions that women should act as nurturers and caretakers but not decision make. [...] • Provide information and signpost available opportunities for leadership positions • T rain media partners to create content that tackles the root causes of gender inequality and actively examines, questions and shifts gender norms and imbalances of power that advantage boys and men over girls and women • S et the agenda in addressing the issue of underrepresentation of women in media and current.