In many corners of Tanzania, the voices of young girls are often drowned out by tradition. Child marriage, cultural rites of passage like Unyago, and limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information continue to shape the destinies of countless girls, stripping them of their choices before they even understand them. Yet, amid the silence and stigma surrounding these girls, one powerful force is driving awareness, shifting mindsets, and pushing for change:
Media has long been a powerful tool in influencing public opinion and policy, adding a human face to the problems. And its role in addressing child marriage and cultural norms is no exception. In the past year alone, journalists across Tanzania have helped uncover secret child marriages, challenged harmful traditional practices, and amplified the voices of survivors. Since the inception of the Sauti Zetu Initiative and Boresha Ndoto Project, we have been working with local journalists who have gone beyond producing radio content. They have become advocates, investigators, and storytellers, shedding light on the critical issue of child marriage and driving meaningful conversations within their communities. But in the heart of this silence, two journalists Esther Chilato from Jambo FM in Shinyanga and Hawa Shaibu from Newala FM in Mtwara are turning their own painful pasts into powerful platforms for change. They are using the airwaves to challenge the very traditions that once held them back.For Esther, reporting on Child Marriage is more than just a job; it is a personal mission. Born and raised in Shinyanga, where child marriage is often seen as an economic solution rather than a violation of rights. As a journalist at Jambo FM, she has dedicated her career to uncovering the realities young girls face and holding those in power accountable. Her programs do more than just highlight issues; they demand action. She has used investigative journalism to expose cases of forced marriages, push for government intervention, and create space for survivors to share their voices.
As a woman, being involved in this project has made me much more concerned about women’s challenges, especially child marriage, something I have firsthand experience with,” Esther says.
Throughout the initiative, Esther and her colleagues have met with numerous victims whose heartbreaking stories of child marriage spurred them into action. Ester added,
“The stories we heard were painful, and it inspired us to go further. So, we decided to create a radio program focused on issues concerning women.”
Their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. The content produced for the Sauti Zetu initiative has garnered significant demand across various radio shows. The journalists have already started discussions with their station’s management to determine how and when they can create a radio program focused on issues concerning women.
In Mtwara, Hawa Shaibu is tackling an equally challenging issue: Unyago, a traditional initiation ritual that prepares girls for marriage and womanhood.
At the age of 5, Hawa underwent the ritual, a process meant to teach obedience and prepare girls for their roles as wives, leaving many of her peers vulnerable to early marriage and teenage pregnancy. But instead of letting Unyago define her future, Hawa is challenging its impact through journalism.Through the Boresha Ndoto Project, we collaborate with Hawa in the production and airing of the Boresha Ndoto radio drama, which raises awareness about the harmful effects of Unyago and the importance of girls’ education and SRHR information. As a journalist at Newala FM, Hawa ensures these stories reach the very communities where the practice remains prevalent, sparking conversations that were once considered taboo. She engages religious and cultural leaders, health experts, and young people in open conversations, daring to ask the questions that were once whispered behind closed doors.
“Many people fear speaking out about these practices,” Hawa shares. “But if we don’t question them, who will? Remember, Culture is not static; it is dynamic.”
Hawa’s programs have reached thousands of listeners, sparking conversations that were once considered taboo by confronting cultural norms and advocating for healthier, more informed approaches to guiding girls into adulthood.
“I urge parents and the entire community to reflect on the age at which we introduce children to cultural practices and the kind of lessons we pass on to them. We must ensure that these traditions uplift and protect our children rather than expose them to harm.”
You may wonder what makes Esther and Hawa extraordinary; it’s not just their ability to report the news, it’s their courage to challenge deeply rooted beliefs and offer new perspectives. Their work is a testament to the power of media as a force for social change. Through the interventions, they have joined a movement of journalists who refuse to stay silent in the face of injustice. They are not only raising awareness but also demanding action. And their impact is real.
This International Women’s Day, we celebrate Esther and Hawa and the many other journalists who are breaking barriers and using their platforms to fight for girls’ rights. But their work cannot con
tinue without support. To sustain media-driven advocacy, we must invest in ethical journalism, amplify their voices, and stand with them in challenging the harmful norms that keep girls trapped.
You can help. Share their stories. Support independent journalism. Advocate for policies that protect girls. Because when we give journalists like Esther and Hawa the tools to fight, we are not just changing the news—we are changing lives.
