Rights and Equal Access of Women in Employment in Public Sectors. Case of Fire Brigade Unit of the Ministry of Home Affairs in Tanzania

Abstract

This study attempted to investigate right and equal access of women in employment in public sectors. Thirty members of the Fire Brigade Headquarter in Dar es Salaam were identified for the study using simple random sampling. Multiple methods were used for data collection, namely structured questionnaires where by questions were given to the respondents to respond in writing. Observation method and documentary analysis where by relevant materials related to the topic were analysed. In the process of answering the basic questions, a questionnaire that include demographic profiles, the causes for low rate of employment, the challenges and the impacts of women’s equity in promotion in Fire Brigade Unit in Tanzania were used. After the collection of data they were analysed using software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings were analysed in percentage indicated that the leading proposed cause for low rate of employment of women in Fire brigade 73.9% respondents strongly with higher ranks are men while 26.1% are women with high rank hence discouragement and lack of self-confidence in vacancy announcement 89.1% of the respondents disagreed that advertisement for employment opportunity in the Ministry of Home Affair encourage women to apply for the vacancy advertised and 10.9% . However in an overall Out of forty six respondents 56.5% were males and 43.5% were females. The study concluded that women equity and access to employment should be taken into consideration and emphasizes in order to reduce gender imbalances in various institutions. There is a need for the government through the Ministry of Home Affair to encourage women to apply for the employment vacancies by increasing the number of women applicants and since the nature of the work was masculine. By increasing the number of women applicants the participation of women in decision makes and main responsibility will be greater than the current situation. Women to be given some priority in their starting salary scales and allowances to encourage them to full involvement in the masculine jobs. Furthermore, the study recommends that Government of Tanzania should not only impose laws to favour women but it should make sure that the laws are enforced by every institutions in Tanzania, and if found that an institution violate the laws serious actions should be taken to the required institution