Sofia Kawawa was one of the co-founders of the Tanzania Women's Union.
12 Facts About Sofia Kawawa
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Sofia Kawawa was a member of the Tanganyika African National Union party and later Chama Cha Mapinduzi.
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Sofia Kawawa was born on August 12,1936, in the southern Masonya village, which was part of the Tunduru District in the Ruvuma region.
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Sofia Kawawa completed her education at Tabora Girls School in 1950.
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Sofia Kawawa became a prominent figure in the fight for gender equality because colonial misogyny defined her early life.
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Sofia Kawawa used her marriage and education to advance her social status and champion women's rights.
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In 1955, Sofia Kawawa joined the Tanganyika African National Union before her husband and became one of the first women in the party.
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Sofia Kawawa had already shown her ability to unify rural and urban women through TANU, and she sought to create the UWT to make politics more accessible to women.
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Sofia Kawawa succeeded Bibi Titi as chairman of the UWT in 1967 and established herself as a strong advocate for women's rights.
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Sofia Kawawa fought for more equitable access to education for girls and adults and paid maternity leave for all working women, and criticized Islamic rules such as polygamy.
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Sofia Kawawa redefined the role of women in Tanzanian society through the UWT and sought to improve the lives of girls through social development.
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Sofia Kawawa helped Anna Abdallah and Gertrude Mongella become members of parliament.