In Tanzania, thousands of adolescent girls and young women live in silence with fear, violence, and uncertainty. Many face abuse in their own homes, early and forced marriages, sexual violence, teenage pregnancy, and denial of their right to education and healthcare. When a girl decides to flee violence, she often has nowhere safe to go. Instead of finding protection, she is pushed back into danger simply because safe spaces do not exist. Msichana Centre Project was created to change this reality.
The Deep-Rooted Challenges
Despite progress in education and policy reforms, deep-rooted social norms, poverty, limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, and weak psychosocial support systems continue to expose girls to lifelong harm. Schools lack adequate sanitation and privacy, affecting attendance and dignity. Health information is limited, leading to uninformed decisions. Violence often perpetrated by people girls trust remains widespread, while access to justice is slow and intimidating. The COVID-19 pandemic further worsened these challenges, increasing violence and disrupting essential services.
Identifying the Critical Gap
Msichana Initiative (MIO), through its Strategic Plan 2023–2027, identified a critical and urgent gap: there is no reliable, girl-centered safe shelter that integrates protection, justice, and healing. In Tanzania, there are only four houses for girls, leaving many girls without access to a safe space for healing and reintegration. Girls who survive violence need more than rescue; they need care, guidance, and time to heal while seeking justice.
The Msichana Centre Project
The Msichana Centre Project aims to establish a Girls' Safe House and Support Centre where girls who flee violence can find immediate protection and dignity. The Centre will provide:
- Temporary shelter for girls fleeing violence
- Free legal aid and referrals
- Continuous psychosocial support to help survivors recover emotionally and mentally
- Msichana Initiative staff offices for close follow-up, mentoring, and case management
- Social and economic facilities to support long-term operations and sustainability
More Than Just a Building
Msichana Centre is not just a building; it is a lifeline. It is a place where a girl can sleep without fear, speak without judgment, and begin to believe in her future again. By creating a safe and supportive environment, the Centre will have a lasting impact on girls' wellbeing, their families, and their communities.
# Project Investment and Timeline
This project will cost approximately 1.2 million USD, equivalent to 3.3 billion Tanzanian Shillings, estimated to be completed in 3 to 5 years, depending on the availability of funds.
Contributing to National and Global Goals
This project directly contributes to Tanzania's National Development Agenda, Vision 2050 priorities on child protection, legal sector reforms, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 4: Quality Education
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
# The Launch
On 19th January, 2026, we launched the construction of Msichana Centre; more resources are needed to see it to its completion.
A Call for Collective Support
This vision can only become a reality with collective support. We call upon donors, partners, institutions, and individuals to contribute to the construction of Msichana Centre. Your support will help build a safe space where survivors of violence are protected, supported, and empowered to rebuild their lives.
When you contribute to the Msichana Centre Project, you are not just funding construction—you are restoring hope, dignity, and justice to girls who need it most. Together, we can ensure that no girl has to choose between silence and survival.
