In 3 days, the world will be commemorating, the International Day of a Girl Child – under this year’s theme “Girls’ Vision for the Future” which conveys both the need for urgent action and persistent hope, driven by the power of girls’ voices and vision for the future.
Our country have contextualized the theme to “Girls’ in Leadership: Engage them, Time is Now” to underscore the potential, power and leadership of girls from family level, school and the community.
Today’s generation of girls is disproportionately affected by crises of climate, conflict, poverty and pushback on hard won gains for human rights and gender equality. Too many girls are still denied their rights, restricting their choices and limiting their futures.
This report is a product of an assessment of girls’ right and wellbeing conducted by Msichana Initiative in 2023 and 2024. The assessment sought to determine the situation of girls’ rights and wellbeing in Mainland Tanzania by looking at key aspects that affect girls’ education and power, health and wellbeing, and voice and agency.
Msichana Initiative being an advocate of girls’ rights and wellbeing, including the right to education, MIO sought to develop a report that specifically highlights the situation of girls’ rights and wellbeing in Tanzania, focusing on Mainland Tanzania, where the organization has operational mandate. The goal was to obtain relevant evidence to support advocacy initiatives and raise awareness about girls’ rights and wellbeing in the country. Understanding the key issues and challenges faced by girls is essential in formulating effective strategies for their empowerment and well-being.
Education is a cross-cutting issue that affects girls’ power, health and wellbeing, and voice and agency. Right to education is central to realizing other girls’ rights and achieving their wellbeing.
Girls are faced with various challenges that affect their health and wellbeing, including those relating to sexual and reproductive health and mental health.
Girls’ voice and agency – including participation in decision-making and leadership may be affected by several factors. Violence is a key barrier to girls’ voice and agency (child marriage, child pregnancy) and access to and control over resources.
The assessment was mainly informed by document review and stakeholder consultation and included analysis of legal and policy frameworks governing girls’ rights and wellbeing.
Overall, the assessment finds that girls in different parts of Mainland Tanzania continue to experience violation of their fundamental human rights, as reported incidents of violations appear to have escalated over the past five years.
“Analysis of police reports for the period of 2018 to 2023 reveals that 8 out of 10 victims of violence against children are girls. Rape is the most reported act of sexual abuse of girls.”
The report has provided 6 key recommendations for the government and other girls’ rights stakeholders. Bold recommendations which if implemented effectively, will improve greatly the status of girls rights’ in the country.
Msichana Initiative is grateful to all stakeholders who were consulted and agreed to take part in this assessment, including adolescent girls and young women who are the experts of their lives, officials from likeminded organizations, paralegals, human rights defenders, and girls’ rights and gender experts.
This assessment would not be possible without the leadership and support of Mr. Fundikila Wazambi, the writer of the report. We are also grateful to our internal team, led by Advocate Lucy Gidamis and Francis Shao, which worked tirelessly to ensure the assessment is conducted effectively and successfully.