By Najjat Omar
Zanzibar: On Thursday, October 17, 2024, a special event was held at the ZURA Maisara Hall in Zanzibar to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child. This event was organized by the Tanzania Media Women’s Association (TAMWA) Zanzibar, in partnership with the Organization of Women with Disabilities in Zanzibar (JUWAUZA), the Pemba Environment, Gender, and Advocacy Organization (PEGAO), and with support from the Norway Embassy.
The event brought together 70 participants, including girls from primary schools, secondary schools, and universities, as well as representatives from civil society organizations, government institutions, and community leaders. The focus of the celebration was to discuss the challenges that girls face today and explore the opportunities available to them in leadership roles.
Dr. Mzuri Issa, Director of TAMWA Zanzibar, delivered an inspiring speech emphasizing the importance of gender equality, especially in leadership. She stressed that the path to creating future women leaders begins during a girl’s early years in school.“We enable them to fulfill their dreams and become the change-makers of tomorrow.” She urged decision-makers and the community at large to work together to remove the barriers that hold girls back, and to create an environment where every girl can thrive and reach her full potential.
Voices from the Community.
During the event, Amina Juma, a student from Jumbi Secondary School, shared her thoughts on the importance of girls being courageous and stepping up to take on leadership positions at the school level. “Girls should not be afraid to lead,” she said, adding that young girls need to be encouraged to participate in decision-making processes from an early age.
Rahima Mussa, who presented a research study on the leadership challenges girls face in Schools and Universities, highlighted that many young girls, especially at the University level, lack proper leadership training. This, she explained, often leads to fear and hesitation when girls are offered opportunities to lead. Rahima called for more leadership education and support to help girls build the confidence they need to take on these roles.
Hawra Shamte, from the Organization of Women with Disabilities in Zanzibar,- JUWAUZA shared an important perspective on the need for girls with disabilities to also be raised as leaders. “Girls should be nurtured to become leaders, not just to focus on household duties,” she said. Her remarks emphasized the need for inclusivity and empowerment of all girls, regardless of their abilities.
The Role of Stakeholders.
Ali Mussa, an officer from the Ministry of Education, spoke on the importance of changing the narrative surrounding girls’ education and leadership. He encouraged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to work hand in hand with the government to shift societal thinking about girls. “We need to ensure that girls are not only educated but also prepared to lead,” he said. He emphasized that empowering girls with leadership skills should start early in their education to equip them with the tools they need to succeed.
Despite the efforts being made by organizations like TAMWA, JUWAUZA, PEGAO, and others, there are still many challenges that girls face today. Cultural norms and gender biases continue to prevent girls from accessing the same opportunities as boys, especially in leadership roles. Many girls face harassment and are not given the same level of support when it comes to pursuing leadership positions. Negative cultural attitudes also persist, limiting girls' participation in decision-making processes and denying them the basic rights they need to succeed in life.
International Day of the Girl Child
The International Day of the Girl Child was established by the United Nations in 2012 as a way to recognize the rights of girls and raise awareness about the unique challenges they face around the world. The goal of this day is to promote gender equality and improve access to education, healthcare, and protection for girls. It also encourages stakeholders to tackle the obstacles that stand in the way of girls’ ability to achieve their dreams.
The theme for this year’s International Day of the Girl Child was “Empower the Girl Child, Amplify Her Voice.” This powerful message calls on society to ensure that girls are given equal opportunities to take leadership roles, starting from school and continuing into their professional lives. The event featured a key presentation on the current state of leadership opportunities for girls in schools and universities. This assessment shed light on the gaps in education and leadership training that still exist, and it called on stakeholders to prioritize the empowerment of girls to take up leadership positions.
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