Amina Chifupa chini ya Ulinzi – Hon. Amina Chifupa under tight security

Date: January 1, 1970

This story tells the story of Tanzanian MP for youth Amina Chifupa, who is living under tight security and the watchful eye of her family members amid fear for her safety.

This article may be used to:

1. Show an example of a subtle stereotype, which views women as people who have to be protected by their families.

2. Show how women are often denied the space to be themselves and achieve their full potential.

3. Illustrate the point that even adult women can be subjected to being treated like children with other people making decisions for them.

4. Highlight poor news sourcing.

Trainers Notes
This article relies on unnamed sources and hearsay for information which takes away some of its credibility. For example, the second paragraph refers to “our sources.” Chifupa, the subject of the story is not even sourced for comment and we are not told that the paper tried to get hold of her. This shows that media sometimes take it upon themselves to tell women’s stories without given them an opportunity to respond.

One other striking thing is that the article mentions that Chifupa’s family decided to confine her to their care. This denies Chifupa her individuality as an adult as her family is seen making decisions for her. It’s as if she is not responsible enough, though she is an MP, to realise that her life may be in danger hence someone has to take it upon themselves to protect her.

An unknown family member is quoted saying that they fear she will make a decision that they will all regret. This story presents Chifupa as a poor decision maker who can not be trusted even with her own life. This is a general stereotype about women in general that they need to be taken care of. It is worse for Chifupa who has just divorced her husband, hence the need for protection as she can not be alone and still take care of herself. The family is seen to have to step in, in the husband’s absence.

Discussion Questions:

1. Ask participants what they feel is missing from the story.

2. Do you think there are enough voices in the story? What should have been added top make the story better?

3. Do you think Chifupa needs her family’s protection? How would this story be different if she was male?

4. How does this story undermine her as a politician?

Training Exercises
1. Review clippings of male and female politicians. Are the trend differences?
2. Rewrite this story with a male name, and male pronouns. Is the perception different?

Links to other training resources

Whose news, whose views: A Gender and Media Handbook for Southern Africa Media

https://www.genderlinks.org.za/page.php?p_id=49

Mirror on the Media: Gender and Tabloids in Southern Africa

Translation

[Member of Parliament for youth Hon. Amina Chifupa is now living at home under tight security and the watchful eye of her family members who fear for the safety of her life. Our sources report that it is alleged that the family’s decision to confine her to their care was because they feared for her safety.

It is alleged that her family got wind of rumours to harm the MP and put her life in danger (the rumours were not elaborated) by people who had evil intentions, a situation that necessitated her family to be on high alert and stand guard over her life.

“The issues surrounding her are very heavy indeed for such a young person and that is the reason we are by her side so that she does not make a decision we would all regret for the rest of our lives.

“Another issue is that there were people who wanted to use her indisposition to finish her off completely. This is how the game of politics goes. Those who were opposed to her political stand within government and within the party were determined to undermine her at any cost.” Say our sources

Our source who declined to be identified by name continued to speculate that everything the minister was doing was being overseen by the family’s representatives and that is the reason why she is not as active as before.

“This is the way things will be handled until the political environment improves.

“For example when submitting the NEC forms many expected to see her but the family stepped in and decided that their representatives would submit them on her behalf,” continued the source.

One month ago things were really bad for Amina after the divorce for allegedly having an affair with a fellow minister. The situation worsened when it was alleged that she was undermined in order to lose her nomination in the upcoming party elections. Despite her low profile in the media and public eye, Amani Newspaper reporters saw her looking alive and well in Magomeni area with three of her body guards whom the family has entrusted her safety when carrying out any business outside her home.]

Amina Chifupa chini ya Ulinzi – Hon. Amina Chifupa under tight security

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