Full Text Article. Also available at: https://brill.com/view/journals/tare/46/2/article-p349_5.xmlThe exclusion of women from politics is a historical and worldwide phenomenon. Evidently, the existing records within decision-making organs reveal significant under-representation of women. However, this state of affairs is neither natural nor unchanging. It must be noted that women suffer this political exclusion irrespective of the fact that they are demographically the majority in terms of population worldwide and in most individual countries. Tanzania is not distinct from this worldwide trend. Despite the fact that it is a signatory to several normative frameworks that seek for the inclusion of women in major decision-making organs, the actual situation is still critical. Using the public-private dichotomy, I note that the legal framework, nature of political parties, electoral system and economic position of women are central in explaining the exclusion of women from major decision organs.