Dear Partners, Supporters, and Friends,
Happy New Year!, As we reflect on this seasons of new beginnings , we want to take a moment to express our deepest thanks for your extraordinary support and collaboration.With your help ,we continue to make strides in empowering young women across Tanzania and beyond,promoting a brighter future for them and their communities.
This new year, we are especially grateful for the milestones we've reached together and the remarkable impact we have achieved. Here's a look back at some of our most significant moments from the past year:
Her Initiative Honored with the KBF African Prize
We are thrilled to share that Her Initiative was awarded the prestigious KBF African Prize, accompanied by a €200,000 award! This recognition, presented by the CEO of KBF in the presence of the esteemed Belgian Royal Family, highlights our ongoing efforts in empowering young women across Tanzania. This milestone strengthens our resolve to challenge societal norms and continue advocating for financial resilience and gender equality.
Her Initiative Shines at Global Citizen NOW 2024
Our Executive Director had the honor of representing Her Initiative at Global Citizen NOW 2024, where she moderated a powerful panel on Women’s Economic Power. The discussion featured prominent African leaders such as Pemmy Majodina, South Africa’s Minister of Water and Sanitation; Mavis Owusu, President of the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), Ghana; and Dr. Kemi Dasilva, Founder of the Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF), Nigeria. Together, they explored innovative strategies to advance women's economic empowerment across Africa.
Her Initiative Amplifies Women’s Voices at Global Citizen Festival
At the Global Citizen Festival, our Executive Director took the stage alongside the Director General of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to emphasize the transformative power of investing in youth and women’s economic empowerment. She boldly declared: “We know what we need, and we know how to do it. Let’s stop seeing women as a risky investment, it’s time to show women the money!”
Building Synergies and Sharing Best Practices in Kansas
Our Executive Director visited Kansas State University, engaging with groups like Powercat Financial and the Rotary Club of Manhattan. These interactions focused on financial counseling, agriculture, and fundraising strategies, helping to strengthen our collaboration and create sustainable impact in Tanzania.
Her Initiative at the Global South eHealth Observatory
In November 2024, Ms. Nusura Myonga, our Project Lead and Assistant Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, represented Her Initiative at the 8th Annual Conference of the Global South eHealth Observatory in France. She shared valuable insights on the critical role of digital health in empowering women, showcasing the Panda Digital platform which addresses health disparities and promotes gender equity.
KBF African Prize US Roadshow: Showcasing Her Initiative
We officially kicked off the KBF African Prize US Roadshow in partnership with Myriad Giving, traveling through four states to raise awareness about Her Initiative’s transformative work. This journey has been especially meaningful as we were joined by Vanessa Anyoti, CEO of the Jakaya Kikwete Foundation and our new board chair and mentor.
Celebrating Young Women’s Leadership in New York City
In New York, we gathered with partners, philanthropists, and UN agencies to celebrate the remarkable leadership of young women across Africa. This event was a powerful reminder of the importance of investing in girls and empowering them to lead the way for positive change in their communities.
Her Initiative at the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative Discussion
On November 7, 2024, Her Initiative participated in the Aurora Humanitarian Initiative discussion in New York City titled “Prize Philanthropy: Elevating Impact and Celebrating Unsung Heroes.” The event was moderated by Raffi Gregorian, and featured inspiring speakers like Dame Louise Richardson, Céline D'Sola, and Karen Ansara. It highlighted the power of prize philanthropy and unsung heroes driving global change.
USAID WANAWAKE SASA Project Launch
We are excited to announce the launch of the USAID Wanawake Sasa Project by Hon. Gwajima, with an investment of 8.5 billion Tanzanian shillings over the next three years (2024-2027). This project is implemented across seven districts in mainland Tanzania and four districts in Zanzibar, in collaboration with WiLDAF Tanzania, Jamii Forums, and WiLDAF Tanzania and Jamii Forums, Her Initiative is proud to play a pivotal role in empowering women to embrace leadership roles and actively participate in elections. This achievement underscores our dedication to driving gender equality and shaping a future where young women lead with confidence.
Launch of The Mshiko Clubs Project
We are pleased to share that we have launched the Mshiko Clubs Project, aiming at empowering 500 girls (ages 14-19) from five schools in Ubungo District. This project will provide financial education, extracurricular income-generating activities, and personal empowerment through AI-driven study tools. The goal is to help girls build financial resilience and improve academic performance.
Going Beyond BDS Graduation
We congratulate the Going Beyond Youth Peers who recently graduated from the Digital Business Program under the DOTGoingBeyond project! After more than six weeks of training, these young entrepreneurs from Morogoro, Arusha, and Dar es Salaam have gained critical digital and entrepreneurship skills to enhance their business processes and create sustainable livelihoods.
International Day of the Girl: Empowering Tomorrow's LeadersIn collaboration with Plan International Tanzania, we celebrated Jesta Kazikulima, a remarkable young leader from Rukwa On the International Day of the Girl. She took on the role of Acting Director at Her Initiative for two days. Jesta demonstrated her leadership by leading meetings and managing activities for the Plan B project in Kisarawe.
Her Initiative at the Women First Fund Partners Learning Exchange
Her Initiative had the incredible opportunity to participate in the Women First Fund Partners Learning Exchange, where we shared our experiences and knowledge with new grantees. We exchanged insights on organizational development, fundraising, and financial management to strengthen our collective efforts in empowering women.
Panda Event 2024: A Resounding Success!
We are thrilled to announce that the Panda Event 2024 was a great success, with over 300 attendees and 50 young entrepreneurs! The event was graced by Hon. Ridhiwani Kikwete, Guest of Honor, from the Ministry of Youth, who emphasized the importance of empowering youth and women in entrepreneurship. We look forward to more opportunities to support young women entrepreneurs in the future.
Thank you for being a part of our team!
Happy New Year
The Her Initiative Team.