Empowering Media to Champion Girls' Education & Combat GBV in Manyara

Project Progress70% Milestones Achieved

On July 1, 2025, KINNAPA organized a transformative capacity-building workshop bringing together 40 participants — including regional and district education officers, social welfare officials, and media professionals from radio, print, TV, and digital platforms — to strengthen the media's role in advocating for girls' education and the fight against gender-based violence (GBV).

Organized under the Joint Action Grant (JAG) project, with support from the Malala Fund, the event underscored how media can drive real change for girls who have been left behind by the system.

Objectives

What the Initiative Set Out to Do

Strengthen Media Understanding

Enhance media grasp of girls' education and its role in advocacy for equity and development.

Re-entry Programme Awareness

Raise awareness of Tanzania's Re-entry Programme for girls who dropped out due to pregnancy.

Reporting on GBV

Strengthen media capacity to sensitively report on gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices.

Civil Society Partnerships

Foster collaboration between media and civil society to promote gender equality and inclusive education.

Key Topics

What Was Covered

The Power of Girls' Education

Girls' education was framed as a cornerstone of development — driving poverty reduction, better maternal health, lower child mortality, HIV prevention, and reduced violence. Media representatives were urged to share success stories, promote positive narratives, and challenge stereotypes that undervalue girls' education.

+20% boost in future earnings per additional school year

Understanding Re-entry Programs

Tanzania's re-entry program enables girls who dropped out due to pregnancy, early marriage, or other challenges to return to school. The media's role in shaping public opinion and sharing inspiring stories of young mothers was emphasized.

21 out of 85 girls who dropped out have successfully returned to school

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

GBV was identified as both a major cause and consequence of school dropouts. The Social Welfare Officer shared encouraging data on declining cases and called on media to highlight progress, uncover unreported cases, and advocate for girls' protection.

330 → 293 GBV cases dropped in Babati District, 2022 to June 2025

The media can transform attitudes, influence policy, and ensure no girl is left behind. By leveraging their platforms, journalists in Manyara are now committed to championing girls' rights.

Results

Outcomes

Increased media awareness of gender-sensitive reporting standards.
Journalists committed to prioritizing education and GBV stories in their editorial agendas.
Formation of a media advocacy group to support KINNAPA's initiatives for girls' rights.
Plans developed for radio programs and newspaper articles targeting parents and local leaders.

Challenges Identified

Deep-rooted cultural norms continue to hinder advocacy efforts.
GBV survivors face stigma and a shortage of trained professionals for psychosocial support.
Lack of a One-Stop Centre offering comprehensive medical, legal, and counseling services.

Way Forward

Recommendations

Ongoing engagement and follow-up trainings to sustain the initiative's impact.
Government investment in girls' dormitories to reduce long school commutes — a key driver of dropouts.
Organization of a dedicated Anti-GBV Week in Manyara Region to amplify local efforts.

Join the movement for girls' rights and gender equality! Share this story and amplify the call for inclusive education and a violence-free future.

Empowering Media to Champion Girls' Education and Combat GBV in Manyara Region