GET is the HakiElimu innovative project funded by Global Affairs Canada whose overall aim is Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Infrastructure and Decreasing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence to Keep Girls in Schools. The innovation of this project comes from the fact that its implementation will capitalize on the engagement and collaboration with the Government, oversight bodies, schools, mothers and fathers, girls and boys, and wider communities to address the gender inequalities and other barriers that prevent girls from enjoying their right to education.
Key Results:
The overall goal of the GET project is to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure and reduce sexual and gender-based violence in order to keep girls in schools. This will be achieved through three key outcomes:
- Increased protection against school-based sexual and gender-based violence, with a particular focus on girls in project schools.
- A strengthened, gender-responsive, and safe environment in project schools.
- Improved access to clean, safe, and gender-responsive sanitation facilities, as well as enhanced menstrual health support.
Reach and Beneficiaries:
This project is implemented in 16 primary and 24 secondary schools across 8 out of the 26 regions of mainland Tanzania, reaching 12,240 girls (aged between 10 and 19 years) and 11,760 boys as primary beneficiaries. The interventions also benefit the following secondary beneficiaries: 100 teachers from the 40 schools, and 16 members of Gender Focal Friends (GFF) groups who are responsible for implementing day-to-day operations at the school and community levels.
The project reaches approximately 140,000 community members and 320 LGA officials through community dialogues and other capacity-building sessions, aimed at increasing their understanding of GBV prevention and the importance of promoting gender equality in education.
GET Key Activities:
1. Invest in WASH Facilities to keep girls in schools.
Many schools lack adequate or functioning water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. In collaboration with local communities, HakiElimu is working to establish gender-responsive WASH facilities in 40 project schools, benefiting 24,000 students—both girls and boys. HakiElimu is investing in the construction of boreholes, as well as building girls' toilets with changing rooms. HakiElimu also conducts training and raises awareness on the importance and proper use of gender-responsive sanitation facilities within school communities, including teachers, students, and parents. To ensure effective community participation, HakiElimu facilitate community dialogue sessions to sensitize local populations about gender-responsive sanitation.
2. Strengthen Gender clubs to empower adolescent girls.
Through gender clubs, HakiElimu is raising awareness among young boys and girls about their equal rights and gender equity. These clubs provide a platform to educate young people on reproductive health, menstruation, and violence against children, ensuring that girls know how to protect themselves. The capacity-building sessions are conducted in partnership with local nurses and police gender desks. In addition, HakiElimu is strengthening the capacity of school matrons and teachers to continue mentoring the gender clubs on topics such as reproductive health, decision-making, girls' rights, peer pressure, future planning, and career guidance. These activities empower girls, boosting their self-esteem and enabling them to make healthy choices. The gender club members are also encouraged to use a peer-to-peer approach, sharing what they have learned with other young people through organized meetings, study tours, events, and activities that incorporate sports and drama.
3. Sustainable Access to Sanitary Products.
Through the gender clubs, HakiElimu trains club members (champions) to make appropriate reusable sanitary pads using locally available materials. The organization ensures that training on the production, distribution, and use of these reusable sanitary pads is conducted within the school community, targeting teachers, students, and parents. Moreover, the champions are empowered to share the knowledge they have gained by leading peer-to-peer sessions with other students on how to make and use reusable sanitary pads. This initiative helps reach more girls who do not have the financial means to regularly purchase sanitary products.
4. Empowering Communities to Drive Change in Girls' Education.
HakiElimu organizes community awareness campaigns to heighten school communities on the manifestation and consequences of sexual and gender-based violence in schools through theater for development, SMS, IVR, and community radio programs. HakiElimu also facilitates bespoke training and mentorship to girls on social enterprises, career plans, financial management, and entrepreneur skills.
5. Strengthening VAC Prevention and Support Mechanisms in Project Schools.
HakiElimu ensures that all project schools have functional mechanisms in place to prevent Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and Violence Against Children (VAC). This includes the installation of VAC reporting and response boxes, called Sauti Yangu ("My Voice"), in easily accessible locations within school compounds. These boxes are securely locked and are opened weekly by a team of Gender Focal Friends (GFF), matrons, patrons, and at least two members of the Gender and VAC Clubs. Together, they review the reports, agree on necessary actions, and monitor the progress of previously agreed-upon measures. When a case of violence or abuse is reported, the relevant authorities are promptly informed for further action.
HakiElimu also identifies and strengthens the capacity of Gender Focal Friends (GFFs) to conduct regular follow-ups on referred cases. They collaborate with law enforcement and other relevant agencies to ensure that VAC cases are effectively addressed and brought to a successful resolution. Additionally, HakiElimu supports the construction and renovation of girls' hostels in selected schools, addressing challenges related to long walking distances and creating a safer environment for girls.
6. Monitoring Policy Implementation and Advocating for Improved Gender Equality in Education.
HakiElimu actively participates in policy forums and strategic meetings with both local and national governments to promote collective recommendations aimed at addressing gender inequalities and other barriers that prevent girls from fully exercising their right to education.
At the community level, Friends of Education (FoE) work with parents, teachers, and students to conduct a gender analysis, assess the school environment, and evaluate its performance in providing a gender-sensitive and safe learning space for girls. The findings are used to facilitate dialogue and create action plans. Involving girls in this process empowers them by giving them a voice and encouraging ownership of their own education.
At the national level, HakiElimu engages with Members of Parliament (MPs) by providing evidence-based recommendations to support their efforts in championing gender equality in education. This advocacy is carried out through the dissemination of policy briefs and fact sheets to MPs and government ministers, informing their decision-making and promoting the adoption of policies that advance gender equality in education.