FORMER cabinet minister and global women’s leader Gertrude Mongella has been bestowed with a Women’s Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to women empowerment and equality.

Prof Kitila Mkumbo, the Planning and Investment state minister in the President’s Office handed the award in Dar es Salaam at the weekend, at an event organised by Clouds Media Group for the eighth year running, with nine categories including health, education, innovation and social welfare.

Notable recipients included veteran broadcaster Edda Sanga, handed the Keys Award for contributions in the media industry, including her solid participation in setting up and running the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA).

Receiving the award on behalf of the veteran screen and audio personality, Clouds Media managing editor and TAMWA chairperson, Joyce Shebe said the award comforts women journalists, those she worked with and those she helped to train.

The veteran state broadcaster and activist contributed to the career formation of many journalists, especially women, to reach up in their profession by looking at her example, and are thus proud of her presence and recognition, she said.

The awards recognise exceptional women and involve hundreds of Tanzanian women who have excelled in various spheres of professional and community activities.

In her remarks, Mongela expressed appreciation for the organisers for the award, urging women to work hard and stand for their dreams, urging the media gathering to take out the message further said in the next general election, there is no need to place another candidate in the presidential race, apart from President Samia Suluhu Hassan, evidently referring to the ruling party.

“If anyone is interested in vying for the position, it is better he/she waits until 2030 when President Samia’s second tenure will come to an end,” she emphasized.

The minister backed up the veteran activist’s position, expressing the view that the candidacy of the president wasn’t at issue, and what has remained in the coming general elections is to pick those wishing to vie for the legislature and as ward councillors.

He made an effort to beef up the role of women in leadership, asserting that if half of the world’s leaders were women, it would be better than it is now. It is vital to keep on raising women for a better world, he declared.

The big secret that contributes to men being in top leadership positions and surpassing women is the confidence they exude which is difficult for women to surmount, he said.

Raising women to high offices is not only important but necessary for the world to become a better place, he reiterated.