1.0 Introduction
Tanzania Federation of Disabled Peoples Organizations (SHIVYAWATA) with the support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) is implementing a project titled “Inclusive Elections.”
The project aims at advocating for people with disabilities (PWDs) to fully and participates equally in leadership and political processes. Apart from targeting leaders of PWDs to raise their awareness on these processes, the project also supports SHIVYAWATA in engaging the mass media in advocating for fair, just and increased participation of PWDs in determining the country’s political direction. Tanzania is currently in the process of electing local leaders, legislatures and the President by October this year, and PWDs participation in this democratic process, both as voters and contestants, is crucial.
In the months leading to the presidential elections, the federation intends to embark on capacity building activities targeting journalists from both electronic, print, public and private media houses to enhance accuracy and fair representation of PWDs issues in the political processes; improve PWDs’ portrayal in the media - as citizens capable to take up leadership positions as opposed to being helpless individuals; and motivate public and leadership support to PWDs political needs and aspirations in Tanzania.
Media sensitization on PWDs issues is intended to contribute to, reducing stigma associated with disabilities, and strengthen a just and fair treatment of PWDs in Tanzania’s socio-economic and political processes.
Activities that would enhance knowledge of media practitioners on PWDs – their socio-economic and political status; their rights to political participation and in holding leadership accountable; as well expose media practioners to legal frameworks for PWDs and their role and potential in strengthening democracy and democratic institutions are imperative in transforming electoral processes Tanzania.
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