Program summary: The End Gender Violence Against Young Women project aims to advocate for the re-entry of schoolgirls who drop out due to pregnancy, particularly in Tanzania. This initiative aligns with the recent statement by the Minister of Education regarding the re-entry of schoolgirls after maternity leave. However, due to societal stigma, young girls who get pregnant while in school face discrimination from their families, schools, and communities, often hindering their educational prospects. This project advocates for the formalization of the re-entry statement into policy to ensure the continued education of these young mothers and protect their rights.

Program Objectives:

1. Raise awareness about the challenges faced by young mothers who drop out of school due to pregnancy.
2. Advocate for the re-entry policy for schoolgirls who drop out because of pregnancy to be adopted as an official government policy.
3. Promote inclusivity and equality for young women in education, focusing on those who experience pregnancy-related dropouts.
4. Ensure the successful implementation of a re-entry policy by the end of 2024, creating a supportive environment for teen mothers to return to school without stigma or discrimination.

Impact Achieved:

• Increased Awareness and Policy Advocacy: Through sensitization campaigns and forums, over 500 stakeholders, including educators, young feminists, faith leaders, and local officials, have been engaged on the importance of implementing a re-entry policy for school dropout girls. These efforts have helped to shift perceptions about young mothers and their right to continue their education.
• Re-entry Policy Promotion: The project has successfully brought together key actors, including the Ministry of Education, to discuss and advance the development of a formal re-entry policy. Early discussions have shown promise for the policy’s adoption by the end of 2024, ensuring that young mothers are not discriminated against in educational settings.
• Strengthened Educational Support for Young Mothers: The Ni Mimi Na Wewe forums and subsequent advocacy activities have resulted in tangible support for young mothers. These girls now have a clearer path to re-enter school after childbirth, reducing the stigma surrounding pregnancy and education.
• Empowered Young Women: Through art performances and the production of educational content, young girls, including those who are pregnant or have become mothers, have received valuable information about their rights and how to navigate their educational journey. The creative materials, including animated videos and cartoons, have been widely shared and used as part of ongoing community awareness efforts.

Program Duration and Budget:

• Duration: 1 year and 4 months (2024)
• Budget: $165,000.00
• Target Audience: 500 teachers, 20 faith leaders, 30 young feminists, 50 representatives from young girls’ school clubs, young mothers, and teen girls.

Funder/Donor:

• Voice Global