Elevating Access to Education for Girls in Zanzibar

Funded by

Malala Fund

From: 2024-11-01

To: 2026-04-01

This project seeks to foster a supportive and equitable educational environment for girls in Zanzibar, with the objective of improving school retention, enabling the reintegration of dropouts into the formal education system, and addressing social norms that hinder girls’ access to education. It builds on ZAFAYCO’s existing Girls Social Shifters Network (NNGSS) in Unguja and Pemba by strengthening its capacity in key areas including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), community engagement, and digital advocacy. Through this support, the network is better positioned to amplify girls’ voices, promote behavioral change, and contribute to community-level advocacy for girls’ rights and well-being.

A central component of the project involves reinforcing and expanding the 40 Girls’ Care Clubs already established by ZAFAYCO in schools across Unguja and Pemba. These clubs provide safe, peer-led spaces where girls can receive guidance, build confidence, and access critical information related to health, rights, and education. In addition, the project promotes two strategic campaigns designed to address barriers to girls education. The Back to School campaign, focusing on identifying and supporting girls who have dropped out, helping them return to school, and Road to Brilliance (R2B) campaign, focused on equipping former dropouts to serve as peer mentors—sharing their experiences to inspire others, increase awareness of the long-term value of education, and mobilize local support for girls’ continued learning.

The project takes a holistic approach that goes beyond academic reintegration. It aims to ensure that girls are not only enrolled, but are also equipped to succeed, thrive, and realize their full potential in a gender-responsive educational environment. This includes engaging parents, educators, and local authorities to collectively support girls’ persistence in school and remove barriers that may affect their attendance, performance, or confidence.

Funded through a renewed grant from the Malala Fund, the project has contributed significantly to the growth and resilience of the NNGSS. The network is now progressing toward formal registration as a youth-led movement, reflecting its increased capacity and autonomy. Through structured interventions, this initiative is cultivating a generation of empowered girls with the agency to advocate for themselves and others—driving forward a vision of inclusive education and gender equity across Zanzibar.