Laying the
Foundation for Gender Equality: The vision and work of Cardinal Laurean
Rugambwa
By
Cecilia K. Rugimbana
Consultant on Gender & Development
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
There is a lot that has been said about the good
and commendable work of the Great Son of Africa, Cardinal Laurean Rugambwa.
Indeed we are all proud to be associated with his name and his work while he
was still here on earth and hope that one day we will join him to sing and
praise the Lord.
There is yet a lot more that could and will
said about his work which is recognized all over the world. That he was the
first African cardinal is an honour not only to his name but to the African
race which historically was defamed and underdeveloped by historical events
such as slave trade and the colonization of African kingdoms in the 17th-19th
century. Among these were, in East Africa, the great lakes kingdoms of Buganda,
Bunyoro, Kitara, Karagwe etc. In the
south, they included the Great Zulu Kingdom and that of chief Rumanika were
colonized through the deceptive and malicious activities of the mineral
prospectors. Chiefs were made to sign dubious
treaties which were interpreted as willingness on the part of those chiefs to
give up their land and authority in exchange of beads and guns! The role of the
missionary and explorers in the colonization of Africa is or was part and
parcel of this process, but later on with technological changes in the
colonizers economy, the missionaries were also in the forefront to advocate for
sovereignty of the colonies and to end slave trade in ’overseas territories ‘They
set exemplary activities in the development of the colonies in the field of
education and health by introducing institutions providing social welfare in
those areas.
In Bukoba (then representing Kagera region)[1]
even to date the schools and hospitals set during colonial rule have managed to
pass the test of the time. Looking around now, it is true that, more than ever
before, there are several schools reflecting the current development polices
underlining the role of the private sector in production and the delivery of
social services including health, water and education. Private schools have mushroomed all over the place. However before this two -decade
development phenomenon, schools were strongly associated first, with missionary
work before the nationalization policies of the first phase government.
Kashozi
Parish in Bugabo division is the oldest parish in the region, and marks the
work of missionaries in the region over a century ago. The parish had, as part
of the package, a dispensary and later on a primary and middle school (for
girls). Similarly Mugana Parish in Kiziba division had a dispensary (now a
district designated hospital) a girl’s home craft centre and middle schools (Standard
5-8) for boys and girls separately. Muleba district, Rubya parish also hosted
similar institutions. In addition Kagondo and Ndolage Hospitals were also
established by missionaries (Catholics and Lutherans respectively). Ndolage had also a nurses training institute
for primary school leavers. This pattern seems to have been repeated elsewhere
in the country where missionaries were involved.
It was under this context that Cardinal Lauren
Rugambwa ordained as a priest in 1943 was to work in. As a clergy it is on
record that he quickly expanded existing (primary) schools while also
establishing new ones. He also mobilized resources (both human and material)
for the support of these institutions
An outstanding example is the Rugambwa Girls High
school. Opened in 1965, it was and till recently remained the only girls
secondary school in the area. The significance of this school lies in the fact
that Cardinal Rugambwa had made a very significant observation, an observation
that at his time and even today may be taken for granted, but had it not been
for him, efforts to promote girls education in Kagera would be 4-5 decades
backward.
Kagera and Kilimanjaro regions are known for successful
endeavors in education compared to other regions in Tanzania. However, the
society in Kagera being patriarchal in structure showed preference to boys in
terms of education opportunities against girls. By mid 1960s, Bukoba had 4
secondary schools, none of them targeting girls. These were Nyakato (Government
owned), St Thomas More (Ihungo), Kahororo and Grewal (Bukoba) secondary schools. The last school
was basically for the Asian Community, while St Thomas More and Kahororo were
owned by Catholic and Lutheran Church respectively. You will note that there
was no girls secondary school by that year. The establishment of Rugambwa GIRLS
HIGH school therefore was a milestone in achieving gender equality by promoting
girls education in the region, and by proxy, in the nation.
As mentioned above, education institutions during
colonial rule and soon after independence were strongly associated with
missionary work or establishment. Lower primary schools (standard 1-4) were
found throughout the region and these were accessible to both boys and girls.
After standard 4 pupils were screened to join middle schools (standard 5-8). By
1965 there were limited numbers of the middle schools for girls including
Mugana, Kashozi, Rubya and Kashasha all owned by missionaries as well as at
Rwamishenye which was a government owned school. After standard 8, only a few successful
students would be selected to join secondary schools or Teachers Training
Colleges mostly in Mwanza or the East Lake Region as it was known by then. Generally
there were limited opportunities for joining secondary schools in the region
because of the few secondary schools existing at this time. Boys had at least 4
secondary schools but there was none for girls as was already mentioned above.
Gender equality in education was therefore not only culturally constrained by
patriarchal structures of the society, but also institutionally constrained by
lack of facilities for the girl child, as well as lack of supportive policies
promoting gender equality in education and related opportunities.
It is in this context that that we view the
work Of Cardinal Lauren Rugambwa in promoting girls education visionary and an
important contribution to this nation. The Cardinal was much ahead of both the
current Education Policy and The Education Act which spells out gender equality
principles in providing education opportunities for both girls and boys. He did
not only raise funds for the construction and furnishing the school, but went
further to equip the school with professionals in school administration and
academic delivery. The Maryknoll sisters who by that time were already at Marian
college (Kilakala) and other places were the first administrative and academic
staff at Rugambwa, including Sr. Maryward (Catherine), Sr. Ann Bernadete, and
Sr. Connie among others. These were reinforced by an equally strong team of
academic staff including Miss Perry, Mrs. Welsh and Theresa Kaijage (later
became Professor Theresa Kaijage at the University of Dar es Salaam) and
together the team did a great job in shaping the academic excellence of the
girls, their moral and disciplinary orientation as well as provided spiritual
and ethical guidance to the young ladies (as they were often referred to by the
sisters), many of whom continued schooling at tertiary level, thanks to the good
foundation of the committed and loving staff.
The Government of the United Republic of
Tanzania has been praised for its commitment toward gender equality as
reflected in the signing of the International Treaties and Conventions such as
the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women
(CEDAW 179), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the SADC Protocol
on Gender and Development and others. Although there is limited action by the
government in the domestication of the international treaties, it is strongly
observed that there has been progressive steps toward institutionalizing gender
equality especially in decision making posts where the fourth phase Government
led by President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has given an exemplary lead to
appointments in the government that takes into consideration gender balance. We
are all aware of the gender sensitivity in the appointments of judges, cabinet
ministers, heads of departments (directors) and heads of government agencies.
Among these are first products of Rugambwa High school, thus underlining the significance
of the visionary and preparatory work in providing a foundation for gender
equality in the service of this nation by the late Cardinal Rugambwa.[2]
[1] The name Bukoba used in this script covers a wider
geographical area than the present.
Bukoba Dioses. For Example at one time it
covered the present districts of Bukoba rural and Urban, Misenyi, Muleba, Karagwe and Ngara Districts.
[2] Among these are Professor
Anna Tibaijuka Retired UN Undersecretary and Head of the UN HABITAT program, now
minister for Lands and Urban Development; Judge Regina Mutembei; Magdalena Rwebangira a promininet
lawyer and private advocate; Patricia Kakwezi
Magogo retired member of the cabinet
secretariat; Magdalena Ngaiza Associate Professor UDSM; the author of this
article Cecilia K. Rugimbana a well-known consultant 0n Gender and Development,
Mrs Generose Kamuzora a retired
member of the Planning Commission to
mention but a few.
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