This archive report was first published on 31 August 2021.
President Samia Suluhu's recent comments on women athletes have sparked widespread outrage and debate in Tanzania.
Speaking at a public event, the President suggested that women athletes are 'man-like' and may struggle to attract husbands due to their physical appearance and career choices.
However, the President's comments were made in the context of advocating for better financial care and investment for women footballers and athletes when they retire from active sports.
According to the President, successful male athletes tend to receive large prizes, land, and cash, and their lives after retirement are often made easier. In contrast, women athletes receive lower reward packages, making it harder for them to secure a good life after retirement.
While the President acknowledged that some women footballers are married, her comments were criticized for perpetuating a conservative and patriarchal view of women's roles in society.
Many have argued that the President's comments are a scare tactic aimed at pressuring women into conformity with traditional societal norms.
However, others have defended the President's intentions, suggesting that she is highlighting the need for better support and benefits for women athletes, particularly those who represent Tanzania internationally.
As one commentator noted, 'sports build character, encourage confidence and leadership, and physical activity has health benefits that accrue to performance in all areas of life.'
The controversy surrounding the President's comments has sparked a wider debate about women's rights, feminism, and the role of women in Tanzanian society.
As one writer noted, 'matriarchy is not the opposite of patriarchy, it is actually its partner and complement – the other side of the same coin if you will. Feminism is an altogether different kind of currency.'
