s a flagship empowerment project implemented by Restless Development Tanzania, with support from UNFPA, aimed at reducing the vulnerability of adolescent girls and first-time young mothers to HIV and AIDS, unplanned pregnancy, gender-based violence, and child marriage.
The project takes a holistic empowerment approach, strengthening girls’ economic independence, leadership capacity, mental well-being, and access to supportive community systems—so they can rebuild their lives, claim their rights, and actively participate in decision-making within their communities. 210 first-time young mothers have been reached to date.
Areas of Implementation
Dodoma Region
(With advocacy and engagement activities extending to Dodoma, Simiyu, and Shinyanga regions)
Who We Serve
- Adolescent girls
- First-time young mothers
What We Do
The Vijana Tunaweza Project delivers targeted, life-changing interventions, including:
- Mindset Transformation Camps to build confidence, self-worth, and future aspirations
- Leadership and life skills training for personal and community leadership
- Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) to promote emotional well-being and resilience
- Entrepreneurship and alternative livelihood training, including vocational skills
- Provision of start-up kits aligned with participants’ income-generation ideas
Strengthening Linkages and Support Systems
Access to Youth-Friendly and Health Services
- Provision of psychosocial support for first-time young mothers
- Workshops with District Health Committee members to strengthen community-based referral systems
- Support to access health insurance, youth funds, and other social protection opportunities
Access to Economic Opportunities
- Entrepreneurship training and linkages to microfinance institutions
- Collaboration with the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO)
- Support for registration of first-time young mothers’ groups at district level to formalize access to services and opportunities
Access to LGAs and Community Support
- Community dialogues and action forums to address the needs, rights, and inclusion of first-time young mothers
- Advocacy and lobbying for meaningful participation of adolescent girls and first-time young mothers in council-level decision-making structures
- Promotion of access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality, and life skills
Impact
Through Vijana Tunaweza, first-time young mothers and adolescent girls are not only supported to overcome immediate vulnerabilities but are also empowered with skills, networks, and confidence to shape their futures and influence decisions that affect their lives and communities.
