Gender Balance in Administration Institutions As Indicated by a Number of Legislations in Tanzania

Abstract

Gender equality is the act of treating women and men equally. It does not imply that women and men are the same but that they have equal value and should be accorded equal treatment. Gender equality in administration may be defined to mean involvement of both men and women in the running of organizational activities either in the governmental organizations or private organizations. Gender balance in administration institutions in Tanzania has been a talk of centuries. It is not well proven on its existence before coming of colonialism in Tanzania as there is lack of written history on gender balance particularly preference of women in leadership or administration hierarchy. Most of tribes even currently they are masculinity by nature which limit the participation of women in administration role in several institutions. However for the tribe of matrilineal systems (femininity), women took role in the administration. From 1960s to 1990s era the position of gender equality in administration was still bias in nature as men were preferred more in handling administration issues and position compare to 1999 to 2000s where by the trend changed with an increased numbers of women in administration role in a number of positions in the government from village, district, municipal, township to the central government. The increased of numbers were the results of both Constitutional, policies and other legislations changes which entails more on equal gender participation on administration. Gender balance change according to time and culture in reflection of systems of social demarcation such as political rank, division, traditions, physical and intellectual disability, age and more, transform gender responsibilities. This paper entails to provide for the gender balance in the administration in corresponding to a number of legislations as provided therein.