With support from the grant, Comfort & Hope Development Organisation (COHODEO) launched the NITASIMAMA TENA initiative in Mbogwe District, Geita Region – Tanzania, to support 34 girls from 17 rural wards who had dropped out of school due to early pregnancy and child marriage. The initiative aimed to equip them with life skills and position them as ambassadors for reproductive health rights in rural communities, aligning with COHODEO’s broader goal of influencing local governments to enact by-laws that support reproductive health.
The girls were grouped based on their chosen paths where 7 enrolled in adult education, 17 trained in sewing and embroidery, and 10 pursued salon skills. COHODEO facilitated access to training centers and provided psychosocial support for the participants. Despite budget constraints, the initiative achieved significant success, with increased community awareness around girls’ rights and the importance of second chances for young mothers.
The project fostered confidence, economic independence, and peer advocacy among participants. Several girls are now actively promoting reproductive health rights in their communities. The initiative also sparked conversations within village government meetings about supporting the dreams of young mothers and women affected by early marriage, which marked a significant step toward policy influence and long-term social change.