Gender Mainstreaming Strategies in Local Government Authorities in Tanzania

Abstract

Gender equality within Local Government Authorities (LGAs) is an important aspect for spear heading sustainable development in any country. Despite various Gender Mainstreaming Strategies (GMSs) gender gaps and their negative impacts to sustainable development still persist in Tanzania. This study is assessing some implemented GMSs, examining the levels of gender equality achieved in the LGAs and lastly,  determining the difference in gender equality levels of a)male and female officials b) Dodoma Municipal Council (DMC) and Mpwapwa District Council(MDC) officials. A cross sectional research design was employed using 358 respondents. Levels of gender equality achieved were measured by using a Composite Gender Equality Index (CGEI). The Index was adopted from the European Union GEI whose measure of GE ranges from 1 to 100 .Man Whitney U test was used to test the hypothesis that gender equality levels is the same between  first, male and female officials, secondly,  DMC and MDC officials _.  The results show that most of GMSs were not well implemented; therefore LGAs planners should make sure that the implementation of GMSs should be ensured according to government priorities and frameworks. Since large number of men reported high level of gender equality while the overall level of gender equality is low, then men are to be used by policy makers as agents of change towards gender equality as they occupy many position in LGAs compared to women.