This archive report was first published on 14 May 2021.
As I reflect on the past few months, I am struck by the intensity of the backlash against women in Tanzania, particularly since President Samia Suluhu took office in March 2021.
Before her inauguration, I didn't spend much time thinking about the implications of her gender on the country's politics. But as the days went by, I began to notice a disturbing trend: men who felt threatened by her presence and were expressing their discontent in petty and misogynistic ways.
Tribalism and misogyny ¶
It's not just tribalism that's driving this backlash, but a deep-seated fear of change and a sense of entitlement among some men. They feel that women are encroaching on their territory and that their masculinity is being threatened.
As a result, women are facing a barrage of insults and harassment, from vendors who refuse to serve them to waiters who make snide comments about their presence. It's a toxic environment that's making it difficult for women to live their lives with dignity.
Male ego and entitlement ¶
But what's even more disturbing is the way some men are using their privilege to justify their behavior. They claim that women are being too assertive, too confident, and too demanding. They say that women should stay in their lane and not rock the boat.
But the truth is, women have been part of the power matrix for centuries. We've been leaders, innovators, and change-makers. And yet, despite our contributions, we're still being treated as second-class citizens.
It's time for men to take a hard look at their behavior and to recognize the harm that they're causing. It's time for them to acknowledge that women are not the problem, but rather a solution to the country's many challenges.
As I said in a recent argument with a friend, 'We are in the Bible, we are in Chinese history, we are all the Mother Elephants that have been and ever shall be.' It's time for men to recognize our place in history and to treat us with the respect and dignity that we deserve.
