SELF-CONFIDENCE is a key factor in the salvation of women in society. This was said here on Friday night by a member of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), Ms Shy-Rose Bhanji, who was the chief guest at the Ladies Awake gala.
“The secret of success in anything is self confidence. Women are capable of doing anything like our male counterparts and in some cases we can do better,” Ms Bhanji said at the gala.
She, however, urged women to work hard as their performance would be measured against productivity and not because of their gender.
“Performance is measured by targets, delivery, results and perseverance. Women should aim at exceeding targets and not waiting for support or favours,” she reiterated.
Ms Bhanji said she had a dream to become a legislator in 2005 and unsuccessfully attempted more than four times, but she did not give up and last year she was elected to the EALA seat.
“If you have a mission, don’t give up. Failure is not the end of life,” the militant politician told the gathering. The EALA legislator urged women to keep on learning to be abreast with social, political and economic developments.
The MP urged women to work closely with banks and financial institutions to secure loans and other services for their financial empowerment.
“The Tanzania Private Sector Foundation and Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce are key institutions that can be used to promote women entrepreneurs,” she said.
Ms Bhanji said women entrepreneurs should also look at markers in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi which are members of the East African Community (EAC).
“The EAC is the market with a population of about 140 million people. We must target at making good business in this large market,” she stressed. The Ladies Awake gala was organised by Alicia K Designs and Events as a part of a campaign to promote an entrepreneur spirit among women.
