Amplifying Girls’ Voices Through Media Advocacy

Okoa New Generation (ONG), through funds raised during the International Day of the Girl Child campaign, launched a powerful media engagement campaign. The initiative focused on promoting Tanzania’s Re-entry Policy, which allows girls who dropped out of school due to pregnancy or early marriage to return and continue their education. Through strategic radio engagements across Arusha, the campaign reached over 55,000 listeners, sparking conversations on girls’ rights, education equity, and community responsibility. The theme, “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead: Girls in the Frontline of Crisis,” set the tone for a movement that challenged stigma and harmful norms while amplifying resilience stories of young mothers determined to reclaim their futures. The media tour featured live talk shows, interactive call-ins, and Q\&A sessions on TBC Arusha, Mega FM, and Sunrise Radio. ONG leaders—including Executive Director Neema Mgendi and Program Officers Zawadi Kaaya and Queen Lema—delivered key messages on the right to education, pathways for re-entry, and the role of schools and local authorities in creating inclusive learning environments. Listeners engaged actively, asking how the policy could be accessed and implemented. Real-life testimonies shared during the broadcasts highlighted the transformative power of education: “A girl’s motherhood should never mark the end of her education. The Re-entry Policy ensures her journey continues with dignity, hope, and opportunity.” Director of Okoa Neema Mgendi during one session. The campaign’s impact was profound: * 3 live radio sessions conducted, reaching an estimated 55,000+ listeners. * Increased public awareness and understanding of the Re-entry Policy. * Improved community attitudes toward young mothers returning to school. * Sparked multi-stakeholder dialogue among teachers, parents, youth, and local leaders. Success stories emerged almost immediately. Mary, a 17-year-old from Arusha, shared: “After hearing the radio program, my parents allowed me to return to school. I am now in Form 3 and determined to become a nurse.” Community leaders and teachers also reported positive changes, including the formation of support groups and inclusive classroom practices. Okoa New Generation has since secured monthly radio slots and established five Re-entry Support Groups to sustain momentum. Additionally, the organisation launched the “10 Dollars for 10 Girls” Safe House Campaign, mobilising resources to provide shelter, food, and psychosocial support for girls escaping forced marriage, GBV, and other risks. ONG expresses deep gratitude to AfricaGiving for enabling this impactful campaign. “When you invest in a girl’s education, you invest in Tanzania’s future.”