Girls Improve Resilience through Livelihood and Health (Girl-H) Project

In collaboration and partnership with Mercy Corp Tanzania KIOO is implementing Girl-H Project which  is a transformative initiative dedicated to advancing the health, hope, and human rights of adolescent girls and young women in underserved and marginalized communities. Recognizing the multi-dimensional challenges facing girls—ranging from gender-based violence, early and forced marriage, lack of access to quality education and health services, to economic disempowerment—the The Girl-H Project is a transformative initiative dedicated to advancing the health, hope, and human rights of adolescent girls and young women in underserved and marginalized communities. Recognizing the multi-dimensional challenges facing girls—ranging from gender-based violence, early and forced marriage, lack of access to quality education and health services, to economic disempowerment—the Girl-H Project adopts a holistic, rights-based, and community-driven approach to ensure that every girl is safe, educated, empowered, and heard.
 
Background and Rationale
Girls in many rural and semi-urban communities across Tanzania continue to face intersecting barriers that hinder their potential. Early pregnancies, unsafe living environments, cultural taboos around menstrual health, and limited access to leadership opportunities have left many girls vulnerable and without voice. The Girl-H Project conceptualized as a response to these presses challenges—combining health education, human rights awareness, psychosocial support, economic empowerment, and leadership training into one cohesive platform of change.  

Vision
To cultivate a generation of confident, healthy, and economically independent girls who are equipped to lead change in their communities and beyond.  

Mission
To provide adolescent girls and young women with the tools, knowledge, and support systems necessary to overcome social, economic, and cultural barriers, enabling them to thrive in dignity and contribute meaningfully to society.  

Objectives
1.Promote Girls Health and Wellbeing
Provide comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education.
Improve menstrual health management through Safe Spaces session under mentors in the project area 
Facilitate access to adolescent-friendly health services and counseling.

2.Advance Human Rights Education and Protection
Raise awareness of girls rights under Tanzanian law and international frameworks.
Train community leaders, parents, and youth on child protection, gender-based violence (GBV), and referral pathways.
Support survivors of violence with psychosocial services and legal aid.

3. Ignite Hope and Self-Confidence through Life Skills and Mentorship
Deliver life skills training including decision-making, communication, self-esteem, and resilience.
Connect girls to role models and mentors through peer clubs and women-led community dialogues.

4.Strengthen Girls’ Agency through Education and Economic Empowerment
Reintegrate out-of-school girls into formal education or vocational training.
Offer entrepreneurship training and access to startup kits for small businesses.
Promote digital literacy and financial education to boost independence and adaptability.    

Expected Outcomes
Increased knowledge and practice of healthy behaviors among adolescent girls.
Reduced incidence of early marriage, teenage pregnancy, and school dropout.
Strengthened community structures for protecting girls rights.
Greater representation of girls in community leadership and decision-making spaces.
Sustainable income generation for girls through vocational and entrepreneurial activities.  

The Girl-H Project is more than a program—it is a movement to transform the lives of girls by ensuring they are healthy, hopeful, and heard. Through multi-sectoral partnerships, strategic advocacy, and localized interventions, we believe this project will serve as a replicable model for girl-led development in Tanzania and beyond.