At just 20 years old, Nadhifa has already faced challenges that could break many but instead, they ignited her desire to bring change to her community. She once dreamed of becoming a teacher. School was her safe space, her future. But that dream ended when she was forced to drop out in Form Two due to deep-rooted cultural norms that dictated a girl’s place was in the home, not the classroom. Without school to occupy her time, Nadhifa spent her days roaming the streets with other young people who had also been pushed out of the education system.
At first, it felt like freedom, no homework, no rules. But then I realised we were just lost.
With no access to information about reproductive health, Nadhifa soon found herself pregnant. The father of her child, though supportive, struggled to overcome societal stigmas that discouraged men from participating in maternal health care.
He thought clinics were only for women. I had to convince him that taking care of our child was something we had to do together.
Despite these struggles, Nadhifa never lost her desire to learn. One day, while visiting the local government office, she stumbled upon brochures about reproductive health and family planning. She read every single page and it was the first time she really understood her own body. It was in this moment of curiosity that she met Annastazia, a peer educator from Restless Development.
She saw me reading and asked if I had any questions. I had a million. For the first time, I felt free to talk openly about reproductive health.
Annastazia invited her to attend training sessions covering entrepreneurship, reproductive health, life skills, and leadership, a decision that changed Nadhifa’s life forever. After completing the training, Nadhifa was determined to apply what she had learned. The first challenge? Convincing her partner to get a health check-up. He was hesitant but she used her training notebook to explain why knowing one’s health status is important. In the end, they both got tested and it was a moment of growth for them as a family.
With her newfound knowledge, Nadhifa realised she wasn’t the only girl in her village who had been left without guidance. She took matters into her own hands and started a safe space in her home, a small but powerful initiative where young women could gather to discuss their challenges, learn about reproductive health, and support one another.
Nadhifa’s safe space quickly became a haven for young girls. One of her proudest moments was helping a friend recognise early signs of cervical cancer and guiding her to seek medical attention.
She was scared, but I told her, ‘Your life is worth fighting for.’ Today, she’s getting treatment and has hope.
Her work didn’t stop there. Partnering with the local health center and government offices, she helped bring awareness programs to her village, making essential services more accessible to young women.
Beyond health education, Nadhifa also embraced entrepreneurship. With the skills she gained from Restless Development, she started a small vegetable business selling onions and tomatoes, earning around 5,000 Tanzanian shillings daily.
Having my own money changed everything. When you’re financially independent, you don’t have to rely on anyone, and that gives you the power to make your own choices
Today, Nadhifa has reached 17 girls in her village with vital knowledge about reproductive health and financial independence. But she’s not stopping there.Â
I want to reach hundreds, even thousands of young women. I want them to know they have a choice, a future, when given the right knowledge and support, young women can rise beyond any challenge.
This story is part of our ongoing series highlighting the impact of the Girls Leadership Program. To learn more about how Restless Development is improving financial security and resilience of marginalised women and people through enterprise development across Tanzania and beyond, visit our website or follow us on social media.
