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HakiElimu Launches Gender Equality in Education Transformation Project: Empowering Girls' and Boys' Education in Tanzania.

HakiElimu Launches Gender Equality in Education Transformation Project: Empowering Girls' and Boys' Education in Tanzania.

HakiElimu has launched the Gender and Education Transformative Project, valued at approximately 4.5 million Canadian dollars, equivalent to about 7.8 billion Tanzanian shillings. This national launch took place at Buna Secondary School, located in Korogwe District, Tanga region, bringing together various education stakeholders from Tanga and other districts also implementing the project.

The main goal of this project is "to improve water infrastructure, sanitation, and reduce sexual and gender-based violence to ensure girls continue their studies and achieve their educational dreams."

In his speech during the launch, Dr. John Kalage, the Executive Director of HakiElimu, thanked the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada for funding education projects in Tanzania. "We take pride in our long-standing partnership with the Government of Canada since 2014. The funded projects have benefited over 85,000 students in 127 program schools in 22 district councils. Among the major successes of these projects is reducing school dropout rates for girls and improving their academic performance, due to the better learning environment and essential resources," Dr. Kalage said.

The Gender and Education Transformative Project will be implemented in 16 primary schools and 24 secondary schools across 8 districts in 8 of Tanzania's 26 regions. These districts include Korogwe (Tanga), Mkuranga (Coast), Kilosa (Morogoro), Mpwapwa (Dodoma), Babati (Manyara), Iramba (Singida), Muleba (Kagera), and Musoma (Mara). The project targets 12,240 girls and 11,760 boys aged between 10 and 19. It will also provide training to 100 teachers, 140,000 community members, and 320 local government officials, while fostering a shared understanding of preventing gender-based violence and promoting gender equality in education.

In her remarks on behalf of the Canadian Government, Ms. Carol Mundle, Head of Cooperation, emphasized Canada's happiness in collaborating with HakiElimu to improve education in Tanzania. She praised Tanzania's efforts to achieve gender equality in primary and secondary education, stating, "The Government of Canada will continue to partner with HakiElimu and other stakeholders to ensure that both girls and boys receive quality education."

Ms. Mundle added that although there is still much work to be done, the Canadian government believes that, through collaboration with committed local partners like HakiElimu, local government authorities, teachers, students, and communities, they will overcome all the challenges hindering girls' and boys' education.

On his part, Dr. William Mwakilema, the District Commissioner of Korogwe, speaking on behalf of the Tanga Regional Commissioner, congratulated HakiElimu for once again earning the trust of the Government of Canada for the third consecutive phase. He stated that this is a testament to HakiElimu's effective performance, which deserves praise. "Please continue moving forward without looking back, as the government is with you in these noble efforts," Dr. Mwakilema said.

He also promised that the regional and district governments would continue to offer support to HakiElimu to ensure successful implementation and the achievement of desired outcomes. "I would like to take this opportunity to also direct local government officials and schools in areas where the project will build infrastructure and provide teaching and learning materials to maintain them with utmost care. It is also important for the public and local governments to understand the project and continue to monitor and provide support in the areas where they are needed," Dr. Mwakilema added.