EDUCATION
EDUCATION
ward to figure out what could be done to help more girls stay – and succeed – in school. With parents’ support, they decided to rent a place near the school where Rehema and 15 other girls could stay. Today, her commute is five minutes, and she is no longer exhausted or harassed. In addition to this housing initiative, the project team worked with the local government and schools to establish a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of gender-based violence. Community guards were assigned to patrol the areas where young women live and travel to and from their studies. “Now that I live close to school, I have more time to study and get my homework done,” shares Rehema. “This will help me improve my performance, and I look forward to passing the Form Two National Examination and planning for more schooling after that.” “I didn’t have time to study because I had to fetch water, collect firewood and help with the cooking.” – Rehema
TANZANIA report card
Impact Spotlight
the situation
More than 30% of children age 14 to 17 are not enrolled in secondary school in Tanzania, and only one in four girls completes her education.
It’s difficult for girls to get an education. One of the hurdles they face is the long distances they have to travel to get to school. On the way, they are exposed to harassment and are at increased risk of sexual assault. Parents try to ensure their safety by keeping them at home. The Keeping Adolescent Girls in School project in Tanzania, which is supported by Global Affairs Canada with matched funds from our supporters, is helping more girls and young women stay in school.
Rehema’s daily commute to school took two hours each way. Along the route, she often experienced sexual harassment and verbal abuse. When she arrived home at night, it was time to help with household chores. “When I returned from school, I was extremely tired,” she says. The physical and emotional toll made attending school a significant challenge for Rehema and many girls living in Tanzania. In January 2022, the Keeping Adolescent Girls in School project team met with local leaders in Rehema’s HomeRoom Rehema is finally safe and free to focus on her studies. What’s the one intervention that made all the difference? STORIES OF CHANGE
what we’ve achieved so far
• 361 community leaders and 35 government officials worked with families, communities and government staff to advocate for adolescent girls’ rights to get an education and to access sexual and reproductive health services. • 118 community discussions were held to raise
awareness about the importance of girls’ education, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health rights.
• 236 education savings group kits were given to parents to help families develop the financial ability to support girls’ education. • 118 community facilitators were selected to launch and run adolescent Champions of Change clubs, where girls learn about their rights and how to advocate for gender equality.
READ THE IMPACT REPORT
Rehema with her classmates
24 | 2022 Annual Report
2022 Annual Report | 25
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