UMOJA NEWSLETTER

AGENDA FOR INVESTING FOR ADOLESCENT HEALTH Issue No. 95 AND WELL BEING LAUNCHED March - April 2021

HIGHLIGHTS

• UNESCO Assesses the Implementation and effectiveness of the Re- Entry Policy on Pregnant learners in Zanzibar.

• Menstrual hygiene matters for the girls in Nyarugusu refugee camp, Kigoma Region

• Giving Tanzanian girls a today and tomorrow The Prime Minister is joined by the Health Minister, the Deputy Minister of the Pres- ident’s Office (TAMISEMI), UNICEF Representative and others to officially launch • Gender Equality - SDG 5 the NAIA agenda poem by Aisha Kingu

All Photos by UNICEF Tanzania

dolescents in Tanzania isters, development partners, and equip adolescents to make will now benefit access CSO and adolescents. This a healthy transition to a produc- to friendlier health ser- new agenda firmly positions tive adulthood. Avices as a result of a recently adolescent girls and boys and launched national agenda to their multiple vulnerabilities. In his speech, The Prime Minis- boost their development. The It’s focused on six pillars includ- ter reiterated the governments’ National Accelerated Action ing Preventing HIV, Preventing commitment to invest in ado- and Investment Agenda for Ad- Teenage Pregnancies, prevent- lescent’s health and wellbeing olescent Health and Well Be- ing physical, sexual and emo- urging all sector ministries to ing will function for three years tional violence, Improving nu- implement their commitments starting April 17, 2021. trition, Keeping girls and boys made at the launch. The Pre- in school, and developing skills mier urged development part- The Prime Minister, Hon. Kas- for economic opportunities. ners follow suit and commit to sim Majaliwa Majaliwa graced support implementation of the the launch of the agenda at a The aim of this agenda which Agenda. Majaliwa called for pe- high-level event attended by has considered various gov- riodic implementation reviews key sectoral government min- ernment policies is to empower of the agenda, measuring Continues on page 2

This newsletter is published by the UN Communication Group in Tanzania. To subscribe and provide feedback, please contact us at: [email protected] | Website: tanzania.un.org | Tel: (+255) 22-219-5021

1 Continued from page 1 progress towards the 2025 goals.

“Investing in Health and Devel- opment for Adolescents has no alternative, especially in this pe- riod in which the Government is strengthening itself in investing in the establishment and devel- opment of industries to boost our country’s economy which is currently in the middle class. I am aware that the implementa- tion of this Agenda will involve Sectorial Ministries, Develop- The adolescents who presented on the 6 pillars of the agenda hand over copies of the Agenda to both Prime Minister Majaliwa and UNICEF Rep, Shalini Bahuguna. ment Stakeholders and local and foreign NGOs. Therefore, let me call on all stakeholders coordination, monitoring and population – the largest in the to continue working with the evaluation system to support region – with a fast demograph- Government in this responsibil- the successful implementation ic growth rate. She reiterated ity,” said Hon Majaliwa. of the agenda. UN agencies support to the government to implement the The Minister for Health, Com- UNICEF Representative, Shali- agenda and to strengthen and munity Development, Gender, ni Bahuguna represented UN enhancing inter-linkages. Other Elderly and Children, Dr Doro- agencies at the launch. Shali- UN agencies including UNFPA, thy Gwajima said her Ministry, ni said the Agenda matters for WHO and UN Women support- in collaboration with stakehold- the country today and for its fu- ed development of the Agenda. ers, have prepared a strong ture, as Tanzania has a youthful

A group photo is taken with all the key stakeholders who have come together to prioritize interventions for adolescent health and wellbeing to be addressed.

Continues on page 3

2 Continued from page 2

On the 17th of April the National Accelerated Action and Investment Agenda for Adolescent Health and Wellbeing (NAIA) was launched by the Government of Tanzania and key partners. The Guest of Honour, Prime Minister The. was in attendance to launch the Agenda and meet with some of the young people present.

”We are committed to continuing to provide quality health care, increasing education on violence against adolescents including teenage pregnancies, increasing health facilities for youth, HIV prevention education and creating a youth-friendly environment” - Hon. Dorothy Gwajima, Minister of Health, speaking at the NAIA launch

Continues on page 4

3 MENSTRUAL HYGIENE MATTERS FOR THE GIRLS IN NYARUGUSU REFUGEE CAMP, KIGOMA REGION

oyce, a young woman liv- ing in a refugee camp in Nyarugusu is now hope- Jful and happy that she is able to participate in community activi- ties. Her story would have been different few years back where privacy, Information, access to water, and materials to manage her periods, was often lacking and challenging for adoles- cent girls like her in Tanzania. Like many other women, Joyce menstruates every month. She is also a first-time young mother who no longer attends school. Recently, she received an ado- lescent kit containing reusable When girls can manage their menstrual hygiene safely and with dignity, they can sanitary pads which changed compete as equals with their male peers. Photo | Warren Bright/UNFPA Tanzania her life around making it possi- ble for her to participate in daily relief. She narrated to UNIC information. Last year, close to community activities. Dar es Salaam how she be- 3000 reusable sanitary pads came more confident. “I no lon- contained in Adolescent Dignity Before that she was uncomfort- ger have to worry about how to Kits were distributed by UNF- able and embarrassed, anx- manage my period. I am happy PA’s partner- the International ious, and fearful that someone someone is talking to me about Rescue Committee. will find out and chose to re- this” She said. Asma also in- UNFPA also supports the reno- main in isolation. formed, “This sanitary pack is vation of maternal health facili- a ‘golden opportunity’ now I can ties in Kigoma. maternity wards Another younger girl named compete equally with the boys were upgraded in 2020 and a Asma (not her real name) also in my class.” further 12 will be renovated in received the sanitary kits which 2021. were distributed by the, ‘Uja- Menstrual hygiene manage- na Wangu Nguvu Yangu’ -the ment is integral to the realiza- ‘My Youth, My Power’ – UNF- tion of Sustainable Develop- “I no longer have to worry PA and Irish Aid project during ment Goals and in ensuring no about how to manage my an educational outreach focus- one is left behind. The UNPFA period. I am happy some- ing on good personal and and Irish Aid project is working one is talking to me about to include more women and this” menstrual hygiene. As a very girls in and out of Nyarugusu Asma, young girl facing the first camp in Kigoma region to ben- Sanitary Kits months of menstruation, Asma efit from the sanitary packs and beneficiary could barely hide her joy and age-appropriate services and

4 GIVING TANZANIAN GIRLS A TODAY AND TOMORROW

health care and information in Shinyanga Region where Glory lives.

It is a small but important step for her.

Five months after she was invit- ed to join the club in Shilela by her village leader, she has be- come a different person – one who has grown in self-worth and confidence. She has learned that she has the right to make decisions about her body and that no one can force her into having unwanted or unprotect- ed sex. Now undertaking a vo- cational training course, she no longer feels inadequate com- Glory a different person since she joined the Adolescent Girls Club – one who has pared to her friends who went grown in self-worth and confidence. Photo | Warren Bright/UNFPA Tanzania on to secondary school.

hen Glory* became economic pressures. It is also At the Adolescent Girls Clubs, pregnant at the age of the result of a lack of access to vulnerable girls learn to chal- 13, she felt worthless age-appropriate sexual and re- lenge existing gender inequal- Wand despaired as she watched productive health services and ities and gain new skills and her dreams slip away. She knew reproductive rights information. knowledge. Glory is already all too well the stigma that sur- In Tanzania, teenage pregnan- seeing significant changes in rounds early pregnancy and cy has increased in the past her home environment, thanks that she could not continue go- decade. Nearly one in four girls to the club’s interventions. Her ing to school. become pregnant or give birth family members, particularly her to their first child by the age of father, are changing their atti- For most adolescent girls like 18, with wide rural, urban, and tudes towards girls, supporting Glory, pregnancy is not the re- regional disparities. UNFPA is her young sister’s ambitions sult of a deliberate choice. Girls working with partners to change often have little or no say in de- this narrative through support- of becoming a midwife. The cisions affecting their bodies ing five Adolescent Girls Clubs clubs are supported through the and lives. As was the case for that empower more than a UNFPA-UN Women Joint Pro- her, early childbirth is a conse- 100 out-of-school girls with life gramme funded by the Korea quence of inequalities, includ- skills,entrepreneurship training International Cooperation Agen- ing gender-based violence, and the provision of age-appro- cy (KOICA). and peer and other social and priate sexual and reproductive

5 UNESCO ASSESSES THE IMPLEMENTATION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF THE RE-ENTRY POLICY ON PREGNANT LEARNERS IN ZANZIBAR.

NESCO commissioned girls returning to school after school.” a study to assess the im- giving birth. He added that, “As plementation and effec- we are working on this matter, According to data from the Utiveness of the Re-Entry Policy we need to find ways to com- Registrar of Education, a total on Pregnant learners in Zan- of 646 girls became pregnant zibar, to investigate gaps for from 2005 to 2020 in Zanzibar. intervention and areas for im- , “As we are working on Within this group, 190 learners provement. The two-day meet- this matter, we need to were in upper primary level be- ing included directors from the find ways to combat the tween ages 13 to 16; 452 at Or- Ministry of Education and Vo- problem of young people dinary Secondary and 4 were at cational Training-MoEVT and getting pregnant while in the Advance level of secondary educational stakeholders. school.” education aged 16 to 18.

Hon. Simai Said, The guest of honor was Hon. The Revolutionary Government Minister of Education Simai Said, the Minister of Ed- and Vocational Training of Zanzibar (RGoZ) reiterated ucation and Vocational Training in Zanzibar its commitment through high- in Zanzibar. In his comments, lighting the “Educational policy Hon Said urged the ministry to of 2006” on preventing adoles- support initiatives that would cent girls from getting pregnant raise public awareness on the bat the problem of young peo- and which ensurees pregnant re-entry policy which refers to ple getting pregnant while in schoolgirls return after delivery.

Front Row Left- Right: Omar Bai, Director of Administration & Personnel MoEVT; Ali Khamis Juma, Principal Secretary MoEVT; Hon. Simai M. Said, Minister, MoEVT; Tirso Dos Santos, UNESCO Head of Office & Representative in Tanzania; & Joel A. Sam- uel the UNESCO National Commission representative. Photo | Agnes Kenneth/UN Tanzania

Continues on page 7 6 Continued from page 6 given to eeffectively implement retention of pregnant girls in Some of the Key findings from the re-entry to school policy schools. this assessment revealed there include the need to review the was low awareness and under- existing Education Policy and Mr. Tirso Dos Santos, the UNE- standing of the Re-entry policy realign it with the current sit- SCO Representative to Tanza- amongst students, parents, and uation, society demands and nia said, “UNESCO recognizes pregnant adolescent learners. findings from the re-entry pol- and commends government The Ministry of Education has icy assessment. For example efforts through MoEVT, for put- established Inclusive Education to develop national guidelines ting in place conducive policy and Life Skills Unit and Office of for the implementation, conduct environment and structures Education Registrar which are needs aassessment on what to that facilitate all school age key players in the implementa- include, strengthen guidance children to enroll and complete tion of the policy. and counselling services at their studies.” School, and support multi-sec- Some key recommendations toral collaboration to promote

SNAP SHOTS ON THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY - UN ENGAGEMENTS

NESCO, Tanzania Me- dia Women’s Associa- tion (TAMWA), KOICA Uand Regional government of- fices in Pemba and Sengerema kicked off the 2021 Internation- al Women’s Day #IWD2021 celebrations by launching and training journalists’ network on Gender Based Violence and Media. They also conducted community dialogues on wom- en and girls’ leadership and en- gaged focus group session with out-of-school girls who have started businesses through the KOICA funded Empowering Women and Girls through Edu- cation project. Hon President addressing women during International Wom- ens’ Day about the outcomes of the Beijing Declaration. At the time she was Vice . From the UN International Re- Photo | Laurean Kiiza/ UNIC Dar es Salaam) sidual Mechanism tribunal in Hague, as well as the President IWD theme for 2021: “Women in Arusha, a female Judge of of the Association of Defence leadership: Achieving an equal the Mechanism, one female Counsel practicing before the future in a Covid-19 world” from staff member from each of the International Courts and Tribu- 8 to 12 March 2021. IRMCT duty stations – Aru- nals were interviewed on the sha , Kigali, Sarajevo and The Continues on page 8 7 Continued from page 7 Felm, in collaboration with the Fingo Powerbank, We En- courage, Hyvinpitely, C-Sema, Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT), UNFPA Tanzania, and the Embassy of Finland in Tanzania commem- orated International Women’s Day through an online event that engaged women and men who through innovation, are making a positive impact on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response efforts in Tanzania. Representatives from four organizations show- cased their innovative solutions Some of the participants during International Women’s Day Commemorations at Mlimani City Conference Hall, Dar es Salaam. Photo | Ahimidiwe Olotu/UNIC Dar to GBV. es Salaam

UN Booth at Mlimani City Conference Hall with different publications including Gender Based iolenceV materials from UN Wom- en and the Government of United Republic of Tanzania. Photo | Ahimidiwe Olotu/UNIC Dar es Salaam

8 FLIPFLOPI COMPLETES ITS HISTORIC JOURNEY IN TANZANIA BRINGING TOGETHER POLICY MAKERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST SINGLE-USE PLASTICS

The Flip Flopi boat was received by environment protectors in Mwanza port after crisscrossing Lake Victoria from Uganda. Photo | Editrudith Lukanga

he Flipflopi dhow sailed The arrival of the Flipflopi in Global Clean seas campaign into Mwanza, Tanzania Tanzania, inspired artistry work to deliver a key message on early April this year, with and virtual webinars featuring the alarming impact of plastics Ta mission to end single-use youth and civil society organisa- on oceans and freshwater eco- plastic. the world’s first dhow tions, The UN Environment pro- systems. A recent study from built entirely from re-purposed gramme, policy makers and the Mwanza estimated that 1 in waste plastics, including flip- private sector who discussed 5 fish in Lake Victoria had in- flops aimed to lead a plastic-re- the impact of plastic pollution gested plastic. UNEP informs use revolution through educa- on the lake and what we can all global populations that some 8 tion, positive storytelling and do about it. million tonnes of plastic end up campaigns. in the sea every year, sickening The dhow was received by wildlife, clogging fishing nets Over a four-week period the Mwanza City Council and a di- and sometimes ending up on colourful and innovative dhow verse range of local and inter- dinner plates. travelled across Lake Victo- national partners accompanied ria to visit Kenya, Uganda and by events aimed at beating The Executive Director for En- Tanzania, meeting business plastic pollution and tackling vironmental Management and leaders, community leaders, marine litter. It also set up plas- Economic Development Orga- conservationists, policy-makers tic waste recycling centres to nization (EMEDO). Ms. Edit- and school children. serve the citizens of the lake. rudith Lukanga, emphasized, Flip Floppi partnered with the “Plastic pollution and waste Continues on page 10 9 Continued from page 9 do not respect borders. Wher- ever you live around the lake, we can all play our role to re- duce the plastic we throw away, and re-purpose it to bring value to our communities, and save Lake Victoria for future gener- ations”

Lake Victoria supports more than 40 million people and has been under increased pressure from the dramatic effects of climate change and pollution, which has severely impact- ed the lake and threatens the health and livelihoods of com- Participants who received the flipflopi included artists who designed creative plastic waste gathering points in the image of the fish shown in this image. munities. Photo|Editrudith Lukanga

KASANGA PORT OPENS

local farmers as well as the Tanzanian Government.

Drastically reduced transport cost:

The inclusion of Kasanga port into the WFP operation has many advantages. It enables WFP to transport food commod- ities directly to the port from ar- eas in south eastern Tanzania where they are procured. This cuts the total transit time in half, maintains the quality, and cuts

Off-loading of 330 MT maize at Bujumbura port at the end of March, which was the post-harvest handling loss. the first shipment from Kasanga port in Rukwa Tanzania, opening the route across For the farmers this improves Lake Tanganyika. The maize was locally purchased from Tanzania. Photo | WFP Tanzania / Lydia Vanos their access to market and se- cures better prices. Overall, the he Kasanga port in south- A few weeks ago, the first boat initiative is expected to lower ern Lake Tanganyika carrying 330 metric tonnes (mt) the cost of transportation by has just been opened of maize for Burundi departed 30 to 40 percent and, enabling Tfor WFP traffic to Burundi and the port starting a new phase, WFP to help even more people. Democratic Republic of Congo. that will benefit both WFP and Continues on page 11 10 Continued from page 10 crops to the neighbouring coun- nian farmers to be distributed Local procurement: tries. Over the past seven years in countries like DRC, Burun- WFP has developed its opera- di, and South Sudan. WFP will The use of Kasanga port is just tion, where large portions of continue to use supply chain the newest in a line of initiatives crops such as maize and beans management. from WFP to supply Tanzanian are sourced from local Tanza-

MESSAGE ON INTERNATIONAL DAY OF REFLECTION ON THE 1994 GENOCIDE AGAINST THE TUTSI IN RWANDA

he 7th of April is observed world over to be the In- ternational Day of Re- Tflection on the 1994 Genocide Against Tutsis in Rwanda. This year marks the 27th since more than one million people were systematically murdered in less than three months in Rwan- da. They were overwhelmingly Tutsi, but also Hutu and others who opposed the genocide.

Unlike previous years, due to COVID-19, the physical tra- ditional commemoration that

would gather hundreds of A photograph from a UN exhibition on Rwanda taken by United Nations Photo. people at Mlimani City in Dar

es Salaam did not happen In- These extremist movements stead, messages on the day represent the principal security “Today, around the globe, people are threatened by were shared on social media threat in many countries.” extremist groups deter- with the general public. These mined on boosting their messages included that of the While the technology and tech- ranks through social po- UN Secretary General, Anto- niques that extremists use are larization and political and nio Guterres who highlights the evolving, the vile messages cultural manipulation. continued threats in our world and rhetoric remain the same. today. The dehumanization of com- These extremist move- munities, misinformation and ments represent the princi- In part, Mr. Guterres statement hate speech are stoking the pal security threat in many countries.” read, “Today, around the globe, fires of violence. people are threatened by ex- Mr. António Guterres, tremist groups determined on The Covid-19 pandemic under- Secretary-General of the boosting their ranks through scores the urgency of address- United Nations social polarization and political ing deepening divides. and cultural manipulation.

Continues on page 12 11 Continued from page 11 flict. We saw what happened in that have become a transna- The global health crisis has Rwanda in 1994, and we know tional threat. We must redouble profoundly affected the entire the horrific consequences when our efforts, and forge a Com- spectrum of human rights in ev- hate is allowed to prevail. mon Agenda, to renew and re- ery region, further fuelling dis- invigorate our collective actions crimination, social polarization Preventing history from repeat- going forward.” and inequalities – all of which ing itself requires countering can lead to violence and con- these hate-driven movements

GENDER EQUALITY - SDG 5 POEM BY AISHA KINGU

Every gender serves in nobility. At peace, at liberty, At high integrity, under safe entity, With no limits, to offering diversity.

Every gender manifests beauty of its own, Not in comparison, causing a breakdown, A human is what should be known, There is no gender to blame, but only to crown.

Embracing the ability to shine. With liberty purely shown, Gender equality to be clearly seen, Is a beauty, elegance that’s purely being.

Equality to access education, Equality to access information, Equality to integration, Sources worldly development and diversification

12 DRAWING BY ANNA NKYALU

13 UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL DAYS

June 20th – World Refugee Day

July 30th - World Day Against Trafficking in Persons

August 12th - International Youth Day

August 19th - World Humanitarian Day

A STRONGER UNITED NATIONS FOR A BETTER WORLD

TANZANIA

RESIDENT COORDINATOR’S OFFICE +255 22 219 5021 [email protected] Website: tanzania.un.org

This newsletter is published by the UN Communication Group in Tanzania. To subscribe and provide feedback, please contact us at: [email protected] | Website: tanzania.un.org | Tel: (+255) 22-219-5021

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