Empowering Girls Through Education

On July 21, 2023, we hosted a discussion on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), where we explored the role of communities in ensuring that girls return to school after giving birth. The conversation attracted over 100 participants.

As part of our ongoing efforts to raise awareness within the community, we have participated in various media engagements since 2018. One notable example is our appearance on the popular television program Malumbano ya Hoja (Part one and Part two) which airs on ITV.

We have also conducted several interviews across different media platforms, includingncluding appearances on Azam TV through their programs "Hoja Mezani", “Hello Wikiendi”, "Alasiri". Azam TV is currently one of the leading traditional media outlets in the country with a large following

We also had an interview with The Chanzo, one of the top online media platforms, where the interview was viewed by approximately one thousand people.

We also featured in an interview with Deutsche Welle (DW), further expanding the reach of our advocacy.

According to the HakiElimu report titled "Reintegrating Teenage Mothers into Formal Secondary Scools in Tanzania Mainland” which was launched earlier last year, young mothers who wish to return to school after giving birth face numerous challenges. These include societal stigmatization and rejection from various stakeholders, including school heads.

"Nafasi" is a Swahili word that means "opportunity," is a short film that highlights these challenges, particularly the stigma teenage mothers encounter as they seek to resume their education after delivery. The film sheds light on the barriers they face and the urgent need for change in the societal and institutional attitudes toward young mothers pursuing their education.

The film premiered last year at Nafasi Art Space in Dar es Salaam and was attended by over 50 participants, including stakeholders from non-governmental organizations, activists, and representatives from various diplomatic entities such as the U.S. Embassy, the French Embassy, and the French Development Agency. The film is currently available on YouTube.

During the 2024 16 Days of Activism, the film Nafasi was screened in Dodoma and Mwanza as part of a series organized by the U.S. Embassy in Tanzania at American Corners. In Dodoma (Nov 26), Film Director Sudi Masomwa represented the team, followed by a panel on education access for teenage mothers. In Mwanza (Nov 29), Executive Director Hellen Sisya led a discussion on stigma and community support.

Earlier this year, our founder who is so a member pf the Youth Sounding Board (YSB) to the European Union Delegation to Tanzania, had the opportunity to engage with several Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) during their official visit to Tanzania. In our discussion, she emphasized the need for more support that ensure young mothers can return to school and continue their education.

In June this year, our Founder had the opportunity to travel to Denmark for a training on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During this visit, she also participated in a panel discussion on access to education, where she shared her personal journey of returning to school after pregnancy.