About the Project
The project aims to achieve a transformative shift in the landscape of healthcare access and quality for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW), particularly in rural areas. And Project Duration 2024–2026, the targeted Group is Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) aged 15-29 in Monduli DC, including AGYW living with HIV, AGYW with disabilities, youth, rural AGYW, those who use/inject drugs, pregnant adolescents and young mothers. The project aims to contribute to their empowerment, resilience, and ability to thrive, ultimately fostering a healthier and more equitable community for all. Up to 2026 the project aims to reach 10,000 youth who are empowered by the project.
Geographic Scope of the Project
Her Voice Afya project is implemented in Monduli District Council, Arusha Region, specifically in Sepeko, Monduli Juu, and Engutoto.
Monduli is a rural district largely inhabited by indigenous communities, particularly the Maasai, whose livelihoods depend on pastoralism and subsistence agriculture. The district faces challenges such as limited access to education, health services, and infrastructure, as well as strong gender inequalities where decision-making is predominantly male-dominated. These factors disproportionately affect adolescent girls and young women (AGYW).
Project Goal
This project aims to strengthen the meaningful engagement and leadership of adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in decision making spaces with the aim of reducing HIV incidence and improving our broader health, wellbeing and rights.
Targeted Group
AGYW aged 15-29 living with HIV, AGYW with disabilities, youth, rural AGYW, those who use/inject drugs, pregnant adolescents and young mothers. The project aims to contribute to their empowerment, resilience, and ability to thrive, ultimately fostering a healthier and more equitable community for all. By 2026 the project aims to reach 10,000 youth who are empowered by the project.
Objectives:
Expand access to Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and integrated SRH/HIV/TB services.
Strengthen referral systems linking AGYW to support for gender-based violence (GBV).
Enhance economic self-reliance through entrepreneurship and livelihood training.
Build leadership capacity for community health and civic engagement.
Increase voter education and encourage democratic participation among rural AGYW.
Promote AGYW involvement in health policy and decision-making processes.
Supporting Subheading
Project Impact
Read here some stories of how we could positively impact young people, students and community
1. Training of the 10 healthcare providers
As part of the Her Voice Afya Project, we strengthened the delivery of youth-friendly health services in Monduli District Council by training healthcare providers to better respond to the unique needs of adolescents—especially in the areas of HIV, TB, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). Led by a Ministry of Health facilitator, the training equipped providers with practical skills to integrate HIV and TB screening into SRH consultations, enhance communication with young clients, and offer care that is respectful, confidential, and free from judgment.The results have been remarkable. Providers reported increased confidence, a deeper understanding of integrated service delivery, and improved collaboration across service units. These shifts have already begun to create a more welcoming environment for Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) seeking care.To sustain this progress, the project highlighted the need for ongoing mentorship, periodic refresher training, and strengthened data systems—ensuring that youth continue to receive comprehensive, compassionate, and accessible health services
2. Efforts to rescue a girl from early marriage that was done by Two Champions who organized how to rescue a girl and were able to cooperate with Gender Desk Officer from Monduli District.
In the heart of a Maasai village in Mti Mmoja, in cooperation with his fellow from Monduli Juu, nearly 40 kilometers from Arusha town, the young boys named Baraka and Jeremia emerged as heroes. As one of the three Boys Champions trained under the Her Voice Project, they proved that knowledge and courage can transform lives.
Baraka and Jeremia were among the 20 trained champions to identify, report, and take action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in their community. Their opportunity to make a difference came when they learned that a young girl was being forced into marriage against her will. With determination and a sense of responsibility, Baraka and Jeremia took action.
Understanding the severity of the situation, Baraka immediately contacted the Executive Director of Voice of Youth Tanzania (VOYOTA), also to his fellow champion Jeremia, explaining the urgency of the matter. VOYOTA, committed to protecting the rights of adolescent girls and young women, swiftly connected Baraka and Jeremia with the Gender Desk Policy Officer.
Following Baraka’s report, the authorities intervened. The girl was successfully removed from the dangerous situation and placed under the care of a compassionate well-wisher in Arusha town. Meanwhile, justice was served—the girl’s father and the man who had paid the dowry were arrested, ensuring that no other girl in that household would suffer the same fate.
Baraka’s and Jeremia’s bravery and commitment exemplify the power of youth-led advocacy in combating GBV.Their actions not only saved one girl but also sent a strong message to the community that forced marriages are unacceptable and punishable by law.
Through the Her Voice Project, young champions like them are becoming change-makers, ensuring that every girl has the right to live free from violence and forced marriage. This story is a testament to the impact of empowering youth to stand up for human rights, making a lasting difference in their communities.
3. Community dialogue that was organized by Champions from Monduli Juu and Sepeko that was attended by Traditional leaders.
Through the Her Voice Fund, VOYOTA empowered Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) by creating meaningful spaces for their voices to influence community decisions. We conducted strategic dialogues in Monduli Juu and Sepeko Wards, bringing together youth and traditional leaders to openly discuss how to transform harmful cultural norms and champion youth-friendly, gender-sensitive practices.
These dialogues served as a powerful platform to raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), HIV, TB, and malaria among both AGYW and community elders. By fostering open conversation and mutual understanding, we helped bridge the generational gap and strengthen community support for the health and rights of young women.
A total of 105 youth and traditional leaders actively participated in these community dialogues—an important milestone that positioned them as influential decision-makers on youth-related issues. Their engagement marks a significant step toward building a more inclusive, informed, and supportive environment for AGYW in Monduli District.
