Former Liberian President Sirleaf on why President @SuluhuSamia of Tanzania is one of the 100 most influential people of 2022.
BY ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF
MAY 23, 2022 6:06 AM EDT
President Samia Suluhu Hassan took office in March 2021, and her leadership has been a tonic. That year has made a big difference to Tanzania. A door has opened for dialogue between political rivals, steps have been taken to rebuild trust in the democratic system, efforts have been made to increase press freedom, and women and girls have a new role model.
In September 2021, just a few months into her presidency, Suluhu Hassan delivered a landmark speech as only the fifth African woman leader ever to address the U.N. General Assembly. She stood on the spot where I stood 15 years before as the first democratically elected woman President in Africa.
“As the first female President in the history of my country,” she said, “the burden of expectation to deliver gender equality is heavier on my shoulders.”
As she spoke these powerful words, I couldn’t help but think how strong the shoulders of women leaders are and how much they can make a difference.
Sirleaf is the former President of Liberia and a Nobel Peace Prize winner
Tafsiri (kwa mujibu wa Google Translate)
Rais Samia Suluhu Hassan aliingia madarakani Machi 2021, na uongozi wake umekuwa wa kusisimua. Mwaka huo umeleta mabadiliko makubwa kwa Tanzania. Mlango umefunguliwa kwa mazungumzo kati ya wapinzani wa kisiasa, hatua zimechukuliwa ili kujenga upya imani katika mfumo wa kidemokrasia, juhudi zimefanywa kuongeza uhuru wa vyombo vya habari, na wanawake na wasichana wana mfano mpya wa kuigwa.
Mnamo Septemba 2021, miezi michache tu ya urais wake, Suluhu Hassan alitoa hotuba ya kihistoria kama kiongozi wa tano pekee wa Kiafrika aliyewahi kuhutubia Baraza Kuu la Umoja wa Mataifa. Alisimama mahali niliposimama miaka 15 kabla kama Rais wa kwanza mwanamke aliyechaguliwa kidemokrasia barani Afrika.
"Kama Rais wa kwanza mwanamke katika historia ya nchi yangu," alisema, "mzigo wa matarajio ya kuleta usawa wa kijinsia ni mzito zaidi kwenye mabega yangu."
Alipozungumza maneno haya yenye nguvu, sikuweza kujizuia kufikiria jinsi mabega ya viongozi wanawake yalivyo na nguvu na ni kiasi gani wanaweza kuleta mabadiliko.
Sirleaf ni Rais wa zamani wa Liberia na mshindi wa Tuzo ya Amani ya Nobel