Condemns Tanzanian President Who Calls Flat-chested Female Footballers Like Men, Member Of Parliament: All Women Deserve Respect!

Presiden Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan (Instagram @samia_suluhu_hassan)

JAKARTA - Tanzania's president has come under fire for his recent comments about female footballers.

Samia Suluhu Hassan made a controversial statement while hosting the Tanzania U-23 men's team at the State House in the coastal city of Dar es Salaam. This team has just won the CECAFA U-23 trophy after beating Burundi 6-5 on penalties

"If we bring them (female footballers) here and line them up, for those who are flat-chested, you might think they are boys - not girls", Samia said while speaking to the football team.

"And if you look at their faces, you might wonder.

"Because if you want to get married, you want someone attractive, a woman who has the qualities you want".

Samia continued: “Today, they made us proud as a nation when they brought the trophy to the country.

"But if you look at their future life, when their feet are tired of playing, when they don't have the health to play, what life will they live?"

No doubt, Samia's words caused a stir, especially on social media.

"This is an insult to women. All women are beautiful and beauty is in the eye of the beholder!" Catherine Ruge, head of the women's section of the opposition Chadema party and former member of parliament tweeted.

"All women deserve respect", she added.

This is an Humiliation to Women. All women are beautiful

and the beauty is on the eyes of the beholder! https://t.co/asUD1KypUX

— CPA Catherine Ruge (Msubhati) (@CatherineRuge) August 24, 2021

Samia became Tanzania's first female head of state in March.

The 61-year-old replaces former head of state John Magufuli who died of heart complications.