In March, Her Initiative hosted a transformative Family and Community Engagement Session under the Plan B project in Kisarawe’s Masaki and Msimbu wards. Plan B is dedicated to supporting out-of-school adolescent girls, unemployed young women, and young mothers aged 15–24. By helping them build financial resilience through entrepreneurship skills and seed resources, Plan B also stands as a strong force against gender-based violence (GBV) and harmful cultural practices that hold back young women’s potential.
Led by Celine Julius Plan B project lead and safeguarding officer at Her Initiative, the heart of this session was to do more than raise awareness, it was about igniting a collective movement within the community. We set out to encourage open conversations around GBV, challenge harmful traditions, and inspire collective action to empower and protect the girls and young women of Kisarawe.
A Community Awakening
As discussions unfolded, the realities of these young girls came to light. They bravely shared their experiences of facing early marriage, sexual exploitation, and emotional abuse, challenges that had for too long been normalized under the weight of outdated cultural expectations. Yet, amid these revelations, a powerful sense of hope emerged.
What made this session truly remarkable was the level of engagement from across the community. Religious leaders, local government authorities, parents, and community elders not only listened but actively participated. They acknowledged the deep-rooted cultural norms perpetuating inequality and committed to being part of the solution.
Women and girls who have been part of Plan B's programs shared how the initiative has reshaped their lives, boosting their confidence, challenging gender stereotypes, and opening doors they once thought were hard to overcome. Although they had small initiatives towards overcoming such norms it was still difficult to navigate it on their own, through Plan B they became more motivated as they now had an allie in their side. These powerful testimonies became a spark, inspiring others to believe that change is not only necessary but possible.
A New Path Forward
The aftermath of this session is already beginning to take root in the community's mindset. There is a growing understanding that fighting GBV is not the responsibility of girls and women alone, it is a collective effort that calls for the involvement of men, religious figures, leaders, and the broader community.
The seeds of transformation planted during the session are expected to blossom into lasting impacts:
- Greater Community Awareness: By continuing to tell real-life stories and amplifying survivor voices, awareness will deepen, fostering empathy and mobilizing action.
- Stronger Advocacy: Religious leaders, often regarded as moral compasses in the community, have shown a readiness to use their platforms to challenge harmful norms and advocate for girls’ rights.
- Local Role Models: Highlighting and promoting local female role models will provide young girls with tangible examples of what is possible when barriers are broken.
- Sustained Dialogue: Creating spaces for ongoing discussions will ensure that the momentum built is not lost but grows into a culture of openness, protection, and empowerment.
Key Lesson: The Power of Consistency, Community, and Trusted Voices
This experience reinforced a fundamental truth, sustainable change is not sparked by a single event, but by the steady, relentless efforts of education, community engagement, and the courageous voices of trusted leaders.
By consistently nurturing awareness, supporting survivors, and celebrating champions of change, Kisarawe’s Masaki and Msimbu wards are poised to become safer, more inclusive places for girls to dream, lead, and thrive.
Feedback from the community
I am thankful for this seminar that enlightens the gender based violence that happens against children and young women within our communities, as a young man i acknowledge that we are mostly the perpetrators of such behaviors and through this i have learned a lot and I urge my fellow young men to take a step to fight against such actions as deprives the rights of our sist
“We are grateful for the sessions today in regards to the Gender based violence, we really loved it because it is very rare to get sessions like these within our communities and we are grateful for the ones who facilitated these sessions because this will help to eliminate Gender Based Violence in our streets”