Discover our life changing Journey
From a young woman's vision to a movement that empowers girls across Tanzania. Learn how we're creating lasting change in communities.
A Young Lawyer's Vision
Rebeca Gyumi is a Tanzanian girls' rights activist and lawyer. Witnessing the distressing wave of girls' rights violations in her community, Rebecca, fueled by an unwavering determination, co-founded Msichana Initiative alongside 11 others. Their mission: to relentlessly champion the protection and recognition of girls' rights in Tanzania.
Harnessing her formidable legal expertise, Rebecca aspired to propel girls' rights forward, to ensure the implementation of gender-sensitive policies, and to empower girls to assert their rights. In 2016, Rebeca filed a petition challenging Tanzania's Marriage Act of 1971, which allowed girls as young as 14 to be married with parental consent and asked the court to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 for both boys and girls.
The petition led to a landmark ruling in 2019 when the Court of Appeal ruled in her favour and ordered the Government to amend the law and raise the minimum age to 18.
The Challenge We Address
Understanding the harsh realities that millions of girls face and why our work is crucial
Barriers to Education
These practices create significant barriers to education, health, and personal development. Girls are often forced out of school, denied basic healthcare, and robbed of their childhood and future opportunities.
Violence Against Girls
Millions of girls across the world experience devastating forms of violence before their 16th birthday. In Kenya, particularly in rural and cross-border communities, girls face the harsh realities of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), child marriage, sexual violence, and poverty.
Our Journey
Key milestones in our mission to empower girls and end violence
Foundation & Legal Challenge
Msichana Initiative was founded with a bold vision. Rebeca Gyumi filed a petition challenging Tanzania's Marriage Act of 1971, demanding the minimum age of marriage be raised to 18 for both boys and girls.
Historic Legal Victory
Won the Appeal from the Attorney General which upheld the High Court ruling and raised the minimum age of marriage to 18. This landmark victory also influenced other critical laws including HIV/AIDS test and counselling Act, 15(2) of 2008, Re-entry statement, and Tax on Pads.
Community Structure Building
Established 10 Women and Children Protection Committees (WCPCs) in Bahi, Kongwa, and Chamwino. These structures created a ripple effect, leading to 69 additional committees being established. All structures fall under Tanzania's National Plan of Action to End GBV.
Community Empowerment
Empowered 21 communities across Dodoma, Shinyanga, and Tabora to respond and prevent child marriages. Bahi communities designed their own bylaws to guide their journey towards ending child marriages, creating sustainable local solutions.
Breaking Barriers to Education
Provided 238 bicycles to girls living more than 10 kilometers from the nearest school, enabling them to continue their education and breaking down geographical barriers that often force girls out of school.
Recognized Leadership & Massive Impact
Recognized as a reference and resource on girls' issues and young women in Tanzania's wider women's movement. 81,515 lives directly transformed through our work with young girls aged 10-25, while 4,397,586 people indirectly reached through social media, traditional media, and ripple effects of our programs.
"As women, we must take the lead in changing mindsets and behaviors within our communities to create a better society for our children."— Elina Lusega, Chairperson of Msichana Café, Chiwe Ward, Kongwa-Dodoma