Empowering dynamic youth activists | UNICEF United Republic of Tanzania

Both Ashura and Rashid had prior community engagement experience: Ashura had won a U-Report, while Rashid had won a COVID-19 and Generation Unlimited digital storytelling competition.

A local government area from each zone working with DREAMS: Partnership to Reduce HIV/AIDS in Adolescent Girls and Young Women, civil society organizations, and UNICEF Tanzania and Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) have initiated youth advocacy guide training for AGYW to empower young girls. The program participants receive five days of intensive instruction and “sharing sessions” covering subjects like strategic advocacy, meaningful adolescent engagement, general advocacy concepts and terminology, and the effectiveness of social media in youth advocacy. Participants are organized into groups based on their regions, with a mix of AGYW, CSOs, and LGAs in each category. Each region develops a planned youth advocacy strategy focused on a specific concern until the fifth day.

Following the trainers’ guidance, Ashura, Rashid, and other advocates have been helping young people gain a comprehensive understanding of the youth advocacy handbook. Rashid has already led two of the three trainings held in Shinyanga, Morogoro, and most recently, in September, in the Mbeya region. He has acquired new communication skills and expanded his network, stating, “I have gained more communication skills and exposure as I meet different people with different ideas and experiences,” compared to his initial Shinyanga training.

Having grown close to AGYW and understanding their struggles, Ashura is inspired to advocate for the rights of all young people. She stressed, “We must use all of our power to allow youth to develop skills for the future and give us a central place at the decision-making table.” Encouraging young people to see themselves as change agents, she added, “Being a part of this training gives me confidence, strength, and encouragement because the AGYW we met has promised to be like me.”

To date, over 150 young women and girls, civil society organizations, and local government districts from Mwanza, Shinyanga, and Morogoro have benefited from the Youth Advocacy training.

UNICEF released the Youth Advocacy Guide in July 2019 to assist young people in addressing issues in their communities. The guide was updated in 2022 and co-created with young African citizens. It aims to equip youth with knowledge and skills to enhance their communities and way of life. The Guide was developed through online workshops involving hundreds of young people from sub-Saharan African nations, including Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, and Côte d’Ivoire. It focuses on addressing issues such as child safety, unemployment, education quality, and the climate emergency.