In March, she took over as Tanzania’s first female president after the sudden death of former president John Magufuli.
She has said before that some people distrusted her suitability for the post because she is a woman.
– Even some of my government employees first dismissed me as just another woman. But soon they accepted my leadership, she told the BBC.
Now reports the TV channel that Samia Suluhu Hassan is criticized for a statement she made to the country’s women’s national football team. During a speech, she said that although the national team made Tanzania proud, few of the players could expect a life in marriage because of their appearance.
– If we bring them here and put them in a row and look at those who have flat breasts, you can think that they are men and not women, the president said according to the BBC.
She further said that although some female athletes were married, most were not.
– And for them, a life in marriage is just a dream.
During the speech, she also said that football players live hard lives and that the authorities must ensure that they are taken care of when they retire.
The speech has been shared on social media and provoked angry reactions.
Former MP and leader of the Women’s Opposition Catherine Ruge tweeted angrily:
“The statement is degrading to women. All women deserve respect “, she writes.
Activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai, known for the “Change Tanzania” campaign, agrees with the outrage:
“So for all of you who are cheering for a female presidency but do not speak Swahili. “Samia Suluhu Hassan degrades female football players because they have” flat breasts “and lack attractive attributes that are necessary for marriage,” she writes.
Former President John Magufuli was criticized during his time in power for banning pregnant girls and new mothers from going to school.
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