Driving Change, Inspiring Action: Men as Allies

[Amani Girls Organization]

The Challenge​

Approximately one-quarter of Tanzanian women will experience sexual violence before the age of 18https://www.jamiiforums.com/#_edn1, and in a National cross-sectional survey conducted with ~15,000, 15–24-year-old adolescent girls and young women, there was a reported 43% lifetime prevalence of transactional sex.[ii] [iii]

Corner Voice: Journey to Hope:​

“LINEA curriculum changed my perspective on how I saw adolescent girls. I used to transport girls to guest houses where they would meet adult men, but now, I counsel them and I warn these adult men on ADTS. Adolescent girls are our children and they deserve our protection,” Matthew (pseudonym), a bodaboda rider at Ilemela District – Mwanza [participant from Men’s curriculum.]

"I abused my wife by chasing her away from my home and she had a child aged 9 months, but after these sessions I came to realise that I used my power negatively by abusing her and a child. But now I confirm that they are back at home and she has forgiven me. And I told her about these sessions that you provide," a bodaboda rider - Mwanza [participant from Men’s curriculum.]

Recent Achievements and Updates​

158 bodaboda riders were encouraged to reflect on social and gender related issues and embrace positive changes. Positive changes were witnessed as participants shared how the curriculum transformed their way of thinking and living.

Bodaboda riders’ perspective on the equal partnership with their spouses was transformed. Majority of them started to respect their wives, engaging them in income generating activities and financial plans. And follow-up on the lives and well-being of their children.

Other Achievements of LINEA​

Impactful radio awareness campaign: Over nine months, 39 episodes of the Msichana wa Kati radio drama was aired on local radio stations in Mwanza region (Jembe and Metro FM), reaching over 354,335 listeners. The drama raised inspiring discussions on gender, healthy relationships and supporting girls' development, and 633 reflection feedback were received from listeners.

Watch the video of girls and men testimonials on LINEA project on our YouTube channel by clicking the link below: Men and Girls Testimonials on LINEA Project

---

REFERENCE
Rucinski K, Mbita G, Curran K, Komba A, Casalini C, Majani E, et al. Transactional sex with older partners heightens HIV risks among adolescent girls and young women in Tanzania. Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections; Boston, MA. 2020.

[ii] UNICEF Tanzania, Division of Violence Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences. Violence against children in Tanzania: Findings from a national survey, 2009. Summary report on the prevalence of sexual, physical and emotional violence, context of sexual violence, and health and behavioural consequences of violence experienced in childhood. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 2011.

[iii] UNICEF. A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood: Midline Report. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; 2020.