Kairuki calls on private sector to build databases for female professionals

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Unguja. The chairperson of the National Advisory Committee for the Gender Equality Platform (GEF), has urged the private sector to create comprehensive databases of qualified female professionals.

This, she said, will facilitate their recruitment, promotion, and placement into leadership roles.

Kairuki made the call on Saturday, December 14, 2024, during a national gender equality platform meeting with private sector leaders in Zanzibar.

She emphasised that achieving gender equality is not only a matter of social justice but also a driver of economic growth.

“Given the momentum we are building, I encourage every business and institution to adopt gender-sensitive criteria for leadership, ensuring that we build inclusive workplaces,” she said.

Ms Kairuki, who also serves as an advisor to President Samia Suluhu Hassan, urged organisations to implement policies that promote equal pay, flexible working hours, and a zero-tolerance approach to harassment.

She also highlighted the unique economic and social context of Zanzibar, pointing out that the region has an invaluable opportunity to integrate gender equality into its broader development agenda.

“This platform serves as a reminder that the private sector can spearhead significant changes in gender equality, and leaders can play a crucial role by being proactive employers, investors, and innovators,” she stated.

However, Ms Kairuki was clear that gender equality should not come at the expense of ignoring the challenges faced by men.

“It is important to create opportunities for both men and women to succeed, ensuring an inclusive environment where everyone thrives. Our goal is to build a society where no one is left behind,” she added.

UN Women Deputy Resident Representative, Ms Katherine Gifford, supported Ms Kairuki’s remarks, emphasising that the private sector has the potential to address key issues such as pay disparities, inequality, and gender-based violence.

She also noted that businesses can promote women’s education, training, and professional development while adapting their procurement practices to be more inclusive.

“As we move forward, we need to strengthen partnerships between the private sector, the government, civil society, academia, and international organizations. These collaborations will enhance the sharing of resources and expertise, accelerating efforts to achieve gender equality,” said Ms Gifford.

The Minister for Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Ms Riziki Pembe Juma, underscored that gender equality is attainable with commitment.

“This effort should go beyond institutions and extend to our homes, ensuring equal opportunities for both girls and boys,” she said.

The Zanzibar’s House of Representatives Deputy Speaker, Ms Mgeni Hassan Juma also emphasized the importance of empowering women across all sectors.

“Each institution has a responsibility to ensure women are given the opportunities to lead and succeed. We must address policy challenges that could act as barriers to this progress,” she said.

Zanzibar National Chamber Of Commerce (ZNCC) chief executive officer Hamad Hamad, revealed that women make up 40 percent of the chamber’s members.

“We are seeing a growing number of female entrepreneurs, but more needs to be done to create equal standards that attract more women into business and leadership roles,” he stated.

The Jumbi Market secretary Faki Suleiman Khatib, called for more training and guidelines, recognizing that societal norms can be difficult to change.

“Not all challenges will be easy to solve, but we must come together to decide what is possible and educate the community on the changes needed,” he said.

The Zanzibar Day Care director, Ms Happiness Johnson, also spoke about discrimination against people with disabilities, stressing the need for equal opportunities for all.

“Many institutions exclude people with disabilities, and this must change. They should be given the same opportunities as others, based on their abilities,” she said.Continue Reading

Mirerani to auction Sh3.1 billion worth of minerals By Bertha Ismail

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Mirerani. Precious minerals worth Sh3.1 billion are set to be auctioned in Mirerani Ward, Simanjiro District, on December 14, 2024.

The auction will feature 184.06 grams of gemstones and minerals, including Tanzanite.

The government has pledged to return any unsold minerals to respective dealers, a reversal of the policy from the 2017 mineral auction, when unsold stones were confiscated by the Bank of Tanzania (BoT).

The decision follows widespread complaints from miners and dealers after the 2017 auction.

Minerals minister Anthony Mavunde, officially launched the auction in Manyara Region, emphasizing that the government was committed to enhancing the value of locally sourced minerals.

He assured participants that unsold items would not be confiscated, as had occurred in 2017.

“Miners should not worry if their minerals do not sell; the government will return them,” said Mr Mavunde.

He also reiterated that the government was working to improve the mining investment climate and curb illegal activities such as smuggling, which undermined the sector’s potential.

The minister outlined ambitious revenue goals, including generating over Sh1 trillion for the national fund by June 2025, an increase from the Sh753 billion raised during the 2023/2024 fiscal year.

He reported that the sector had already raised Sh434 billion this year, with a target of Sh500 billion by the end of December.

The auction will feature 195 participants, including 59 major buyers, 120 small-scale buyers, nine miners, and seven value-added product experts.

Manyara Regional Commissioner Queen Sendiga highlighted that the auction would boost the local economy and enhance the value of Mirerani’s minerals.

“The ongoing construction of a new mineral market in Mirerani will also support both small and large-scale dealers once completed,” Ms Sendiga added.

Simanjiro Member of Parliament Christopher Ole Sendeka commended the government for bringing the auction to Mirerani, but criticised the stringent security checks that caused delays for participants.

Lucid Dream Ltd Managing Director Upendo Kibona expressed optimism about the auction’s potential, noting it would bring together a wide range of sellers and buyers.

Ms Kibona also called for more international auctions, as a long hiatus has hurt mineral trade value.

The Tanzania Mineral Traders Association (Chamata) chairman, Mr Jeremiah Kituyo, welcomed the return of the auction, saying it would help raise the profile of Tanzanian minerals on the global stage.

“This will not only increase the value of our minerals, but also will promote Tanzania as the exceptional home of Tanzanite, attracting international tourists and investors,” Mr Kituyo added.Continue Reading

Influx of ships at Mombasa and Dar ports

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Mombasa and Dar es Salaam ports have registered an influx of ships in the past one week due to longer routes and end year cargo deliveries.

Mombasa recorded 21 ships waiting at convenience compared to 38 ships at Dar es Salaam port.

The influx has resulted in Mombasa port cancelling scheduled leave days for staff working in operation and cargo handling departments.

“There’s no congestion as most of the ships were in the schedule, but because most vessels had longer routes occasioned by attacks by Houthis in the Red Sea, majority have opted to wait and load more cargo hence it is at their convenience. The influx of ships is also as a result of many traders importing merchandise for the holiday and festivities but delayed,” said John Karissa, a Mombasa clearing agent.

Shippers Council of Eastern Africa chief executive George Ogambi said they had expected the situation, which is why they had asked Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to maintain a normal work schedule to avoid delay in delivering the cargo.

“KPA is doing a good job. What we are asking them is to ensure services continue as scheduled during festivities to maintain efficiency as December and November are peak importing months as retailers replenish inventories and stock up for the holiday season,” said Mr Ogambi.

According to shippers, vessels are waiting at convenience to pick and drop cargo as they head to the Port of Salalah, which is the biggest in the Arabian Peninsula, and most ships in Eastern Africa use it for transshipment.

The East African coastline, Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, compete as regional transshipment points, but both face severe capacity constraints.

Christmas is a season when imports hit all-time highs and it is a time when traffic by land, sea and air increases due to the high number of purchases and the exponential requests for products.Continue Reading