Society and Culture: Limits to Maasai Women

The writer has 5 years experience working with Pastoralist and Hunter Gathers women across Tanzania and East Africa at large.With a Mass Communication(BA) and Governance d Leadership(MSc) the writer spends most of her time amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and groups especially women and youth of the rural in rural Tanzania.

Throughout history, participation in decision making through processes like voting, vying for leadership position and participation in decision making meetings; has been blinded by discrimination to certain groups of community members including women. This study assessed the social cultural factors affecting Maasai women's participation in decision The study revealed that male supremacy and dominance has a greatly influenced on accepting women for leadership in the community. Women in the study area are considered incapable of leading, the in doctrine has gone too deep in the community to the extent that women do not consider that community decision making organs is an area that they can participate. It was also realized that women ideas are perceived as inferior to men and hence not given much consideration as useful contribution in the community. Likewise, women were found not seeing the benefits of getting involved in politics. Cultural ties still hinders women social acceptance in leadership positions. The study also shows that women are not participating effectively in politics and are not well accepted by the community to participate in politics.