Gertrude Mongella
Encyclopedia
Gertrude Ibengwe Mongella (born in Ukerewe
, Lake Victoria
, Tanganyika
, Tanzania
in 1945) was the first president of the Pan-African Parliament
.
in Dar es Salaam
. For four years she was a tutor at Dar es Salaam Teachers Training College. In 1974 she became curriculum developer for the Dar es Salaam Institutes of Education, which she did until 1978. From 1977 until 1992 President Mongella was a Member of the Central Committee and National Executive Committee of the CCM
party. From 1975 until 1982 she was a member of the Council of the University of Dar es Salaam
, Also during this time she was on the Board of Directors
for the Tanzania Rural Development Bank. From 1978 to 1982 she was a School Inspector.
. Throughout the 1980s and for some part of the 1990s Mrs. Mongella was a member of the Parliament of Tanzania
. From 1982 until 1988 Mongella was Minister of State
within the Prime Minister
's office, from there she became Minister of Lands, Tourism and Natural Resources a post she held from 1985 to 1987. Finally, from 1987 to 1990 she was a Minister Without Portfolio
within the President's Office.
International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW).
From 1991 to 1992 President
Mongella was Tanzanian High Commissioner to India, in 1995 she was UN Assistant Secretary General and Secretary General, 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing
, China
, from 1996 to 1997 Mrs. Mongella was UN Under-Secretary and Special Envoy
to the Secretary General of the United Nations on Women's Issues and Development.
In 1996 she was a Member of the Advisory Group to the Director General UNESCO
for the follow-up of the Beijing
Conference in Africa, South of the Sahara
. Also in 1996 she was a Member of the Board for the Agency for Co-Operation and Research in Development in London
. In 1996 she was a member of the board for both The Hunger Project
in New York
, and the UN University in Tokyo
, Japan
. Also in 1996 she was President of Advocacy for Women in Africa. In 1997 Mongella was Senior Advisor to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa on Gender Issues.
In 1998 she became a member of the OAU sitting on the Women Committee for Peace and Development, In 1999 she was a member of the "Council of the Future", UNESCO, Paris
, France
, in 2000 She was a Member of the Tanzanian Parliament Ukerewe
Constituency. In 2002 she was a member of the OAU's High Level Advisory Panel of Eminent Persons. In 2002 Mongella was a member of the Regional Reproduction Health Task Force for the World Health Organization
's African Region, she was also leader of the OAU Election Observer Team to the Zimbabwe
an Presidential Election. 2003 saw her as Goodwill Ambassador
for the World Health Organization's Africa Region. She became a Member and President of the Pan African Parliament in 2004. In 2005 the University of Georgia
awarded her the Delta Prize for Global Understanding. She was designated Chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the African Press Organization
(APO) in February 2008.
Ukerewe
Ukerewe is one of the 8 districts of the Mwanza Region of Tanzania. It is located on Ukerewe Island and the largest settlement is Nansio. According to the 2002 Tanzania National Census, the population of Ukerewe District was 261,944....
, Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria
Lake Victoria is one of the African Great Lakes. The lake was named for Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom, by John Hanning Speke, the first European to discover this lake....
, Tanganyika
Tanganyika
Tanganyika , later formally the Republic of Tanganyika, was a sovereign state in East Africa from 1961 to 1964. It was situated between the Indian Ocean and the African Great Lakes of Lake Victoria, Lake Malawi and Lake Tanganyika...
, Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
in 1945) was the first president of the Pan-African Parliament
Pan-African Parliament
The Pan-African Parliament , also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union and held its inaugural session in March 2004. The PAP exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers, lasting for the first five years...
.
Early work
In 1970 President Mongella graduated from East Africa UniversityEast Africa University
East Africa University is a university in the city of Bosaso in northeastern Somalia, located about from the center of the city. It was founded in October 1999 and began accepting students in early 2000. It is located on the waterfront....
in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam , formerly Mzizima, is the largest city in Tanzania. It is also the country's richest city and a regionally important economic centre. Dar es Salaam is actually an administrative province within Tanzania, and consists of three local government areas or administrative districts: ...
. For four years she was a tutor at Dar es Salaam Teachers Training College. In 1974 she became curriculum developer for the Dar es Salaam Institutes of Education, which she did until 1978. From 1977 until 1992 President Mongella was a Member of the Central Committee and National Executive Committee of the CCM
Chama Cha Mapinduzi
The Chama cha Mapinduzi is the ruling political party of Tanzania.- History :The party was created February 5, 1977, under the leadership of Julius Nyerere as the merger of the Tanganyika African National Union , the then ruling party in Tanganyika, and the Afro-Shirazi Party , the then ruling...
party. From 1975 until 1982 she was a member of the Council of the University of Dar es Salaam
University of Dar es Salaam
The University of Dar es Salaam is a university in the Tanzanian city of Dar es Salaam. The university was born out of a decision taken in 1970 to split the then University of East Africa into three independent universities; Makerere University , University of Nairobi and University of Dar es...
, Also during this time she was on the Board of Directors
Board of directors
A board of directors is a body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of a company or organization. Other names include board of governors, board of managers, board of regents, board of trustees, and board of visitors...
for the Tanzania Rural Development Bank. From 1978 to 1982 she was a School Inspector.
Governmental work
In the mid seventies President Mongella was a Member of the East African Legislative AssemblyEast African Legislative Assembly
The East African Legislative Assembly is a sub organ of the larger East African Community, being the Legislative arm of the Community. Members are sworn in to five-year terms.-History:...
. Throughout the 1980s and for some part of the 1990s Mrs. Mongella was a member of the Parliament of Tanzania
National Assembly of Tanzania
The National Assembly of Tanzania and the President of the United Republic make up the Parliament of Tanzania. The current Speaker of the National Assembly is Hon. Anna Makinda, who presides over an assembly of 357 members.- History :...
. From 1982 until 1988 Mongella was Minister of State
Minister of State
Minister of State is a title borne by politicians or officials in certain countries governed under a parliamentary system. In some countries a "minister of state" is a junior minister, who is assigned to assist a specific cabinet minister...
within the Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
's office, from there she became Minister of Lands, Tourism and Natural Resources a post she held from 1985 to 1987. Finally, from 1987 to 1990 she was a Minister Without Portfolio
Minister without Portfolio
A minister without portfolio is either a government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry...
within the President's Office.
International work
In 1985 Mongella became Vice-Chairperson to the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the UN Decade for Women. In 1989 Mongella was Tanzanian Representative to the Commission on the Status of Women. From 1990 to 1993 she was a Member of the Trustee to the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW).
From 1991 to 1992 President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
Mongella was Tanzanian High Commissioner to India, in 1995 she was UN Assistant Secretary General and Secretary General, 4th World Conference on Women in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
, from 1996 to 1997 Mrs. Mongella was UN Under-Secretary and Special Envoy
Envoy (title)
In diplomacy, an Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary is, under the terms of the Congress of Vienna of 1815, a diplomat of the second class, ranking between an Ambassador and a Minister Resident....
to the Secretary General of the United Nations on Women's Issues and Development.
In 1996 she was a Member of the Advisory Group to the Director General UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
for the follow-up of the Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
Conference in Africa, South of the Sahara
Sahara
The Sahara is the world's second largest desert, after Antarctica. At over , it covers most of Northern Africa, making it almost as large as Europe or the United States. The Sahara stretches from the Red Sea, including parts of the Mediterranean coasts, to the outskirts of the Atlantic Ocean...
. Also in 1996 she was a Member of the Board for the Agency for Co-Operation and Research in Development in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. In 1996 she was a member of the board for both The Hunger Project
The Hunger Project
The Hunger Project is a 501 non-profit charitable organization incorporated in the state of California.The Hunger Project describes itself as an organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and the UN University in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Also in 1996 she was President of Advocacy for Women in Africa. In 1997 Mongella was Senior Advisor to the Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa on Gender Issues.
In 1998 she became a member of the OAU sitting on the Women Committee for Peace and Development, In 1999 she was a member of the "Council of the Future", UNESCO, Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, in 2000 She was a Member of the Tanzanian Parliament Ukerewe
Ukerewe
Ukerewe is one of the 8 districts of the Mwanza Region of Tanzania. It is located on Ukerewe Island and the largest settlement is Nansio. According to the 2002 Tanzania National Census, the population of Ukerewe District was 261,944....
Constituency. In 2002 she was a member of the OAU's High Level Advisory Panel of Eminent Persons. In 2002 Mongella was a member of the Regional Reproduction Health Task Force for the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
's African Region, she was also leader of the OAU Election Observer Team to the Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an Presidential Election. 2003 saw her as Goodwill Ambassador
WHO Goodwill Ambassador
WHO Goodwill Ambassadors are celebrity advocates of the World Health Organization and use their talent and fame to advocate for health and well-being.-List of Goodwill Ambassadors:WHO Goodwill Ambassadors, and the year they were appointed:...
for the World Health Organization's Africa Region. She became a Member and President of the Pan African Parliament in 2004. In 2005 the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
awarded her the Delta Prize for Global Understanding. She was designated Chairperson of the International Advisory Board of the African Press Organization
African Press Organization
Based in Dakar , the African Press Organization - APO is the leading press release wire in Africa, and the global leader in media relations related to Africa....
(APO) in February 2008.
Non-Governmental Organization participation
President Mongella is a member of the following NGOs:- African Press OrganizationAfrican Press OrganizationBased in Dakar , the African Press Organization - APO is the leading press release wire in Africa, and the global leader in media relations related to Africa....
. (APO) - Tanzania Association of Women Leaders in Agriculture and Environment. (TAWALE)
- Society for Women and Aids in Africa Tanzania Branch. (SWAAT)
- Tanzania Dental Association. (TDA)
- Meaendeleo ya Wanawake Ukerewe. (MAWAU)
External links
- Kituo Cha Katiba>GERTRUDE MONGELLA
- A dialogue with Ambassador Gertrude Mongella, President of the Pan African Parliament, 14 September 2004
- 'We must avoid being monkeys', Mail & GuardianMail & GuardianThe Mail & Guardian is a South African weekly newspaper, published by M&G Media in Johannesburg, South Africa, with a strong focus on politics, government, the environment, civil society and business.- The Mail & Guardian newspaper :...
, 16 September 2004