Disclaimer: To safeguard the identity of the Girl Child, the name used has been changed to protect her.
Imagine those early school days; back when you were just a child, full of energy, dreams, and hope. Now picture what it might have been like if no one in your family, or even your community, had cared about your education. Where would you be today? How would tomorrow look for you, without even the smallest encouragement or support?
“When I first started school, I was living with my father, but soon I had to move to my grandmother’s home,” Hawa begins, her voice trembling. “My father promised he’d take care of the transfer, but he never even considered getting me the basic supplies I needed for my classes. Worse still, my grandmother owns a local bar. Since I’m the only one there to help, I spend most of my days and hours serving her customers instead of being in class. All I wanted was to be a student, but instead, I was left with empty hands and a role I never asked for.” She pauses, her eyes welling up, then breaks into quiet sobs. At just 14 years old, Hawa Abdallah has already faced abandonment of the most painful kind; left to start her journey without even the simplest tools to succeed.
Hello, I’m Sheilla Kipuyo, the Girls Agency Lead at Media for Development and Advocacy (MEDEA Tanzania). My role is to amplify the voices of girls, equipping them with the power and resources to confront the challenges that keep them from a brighter future.
For years now, with the support of the Malala Fund, we’ve focused our work in Mtwara, Tanzania, tackling the overwhelming obstacles that continue to deny girls their right to an education. Child marriage and teenage pregnancies; often driven by ingrained cultural norms and poverty, are among the harshest barriers they face. The statistics (World Bank Tanzania Economic Update Jan 2019, using DHS data from 2015-2016) paint a heartbreaking picture: in southern regions like Lindi and Mtwara, 42% of girls are married before they even turn 18. And once married, 99% of these young girls are forced to drop out of school, their dreams sidelined.
Though Hawa’s story isn’t one of early marriage yet, she is perilously close to it. The dangers of child marriage and sexual exploitation surround her, making her situation dire. Hawa’s struggles came to light through our Girls Agency initiative, where we’ve launched a program called Young Girls Advocates (YGAs). These advocates are brave young girls, aged 15 to 24, many of whom have themselves endured the pain of child marriage and teenage pregnancy. After receiving training and support, they form networks, rallying together to fight for their rights and those of other girls in their communities.
In Mtwara, it was girls like Charity, Bahati, Zulekha, and Eva, survivors and advocates themselves; who first noticed Hawa’s plight. Determined to make a difference, they set out to understand the challenges girls face in accessing education. Their first stop was Madaba Primary School in Tandahimba district, where they used sports as a unique tool to reach students, encouraging them to speak up about the issues that hold them back from learning. Through this work, these advocates aren’t just educating; they’re building a support system for girls like Hawa, who yearn for a chance to be heard, supported, and empowered.
“It was during an open dialogue on the challenges that keep students from attending school regularly when Hawa’s classmates, speaking on her behalf, finally shared why she often misses or arrives late,” says Bahati, the YGAs lead in Mtwara and the Interim Ward Executive Officer for Madaba Ward. She pauses, her voice full of concern. “Two students who live near Hawa revealed the struggles she faces, explaining how those difficulties prevent her from coming to school on time, or at all.
Shockingly, none of her teachers were aware of the root of her absences. They’d simply noticed her tardiness and become ‘used’ to it, without asking why. Right then, we urged her teachers to take a closer look, to ask the questions they hadn’t asked before, and to understand the real reason for her absence.”
“When the Young Girls Advocates (YGAs) began forming school clubs and educating students, it was then that we finally learned about Hawa’s struggles,” shares Jonathan Salila, the Teacher responsible for Students’ Behavior at Madaba Primary School. “Before that, we had just grown accustomed to her frequent lateness or absence. But after understanding her situation, I immediately spoke with her class teacher to find a solution.”
He sighs, reflecting on the situation. “Sadly, until that moment, the school hadn’t developed any strategy to address issues like Hawa’s. It was only through the YGAs’ persistence and follow-up that we could begin to truly support her.”
The statistics paint a bleak picture. In Tanzania, especially in rural areas, school retention is a major challenge. In 2019 alone, nearly 98,949 students dropped out, with 90,607 of these cases due to absenteeism. Among them, 42,061 were girls in secondary school, according to the Basic Education Statistics from TAMISEMI in 2020. The Tanzanian government has launched various initiatives, including the free education policy and the Secondary Education Quality Improvement Program (SEQUIP), funded by the World Bank, but challenges persist.
For Hawa, there is finally a glimmer of hope. She is now enrolled in the YGA mentorship and club program, which closely monitors her progress and ensures she stays engaged in her classes. Next year, she is set to enter Class 7, her final year of primary school in Tanzania. Her mother worries that she won’t be able to afford the various contributions needed for this critical year. But the YGAs are determined to support Hawa, not only to make it to Class 7 but also to help her succeed and transition to secondary school with confidence and high grades.
