My Rights My Choice project protects women’s and girls’ rights and choices in Tanzania

Finland supports the eradication of gender-based violence and the protection of the rights and choices of women, girls and people with disabilities in Tanzania.

Since the project’s inception in 2021, the efforts have included strengthening legislation that protects women, children and people with disabilities, and expanding various support services for women and girls. The project contributed to the development of Tanzania’s National Plan of Action to end violence against women and children, which was completed in 2023.

The “My Rights My Choice” project has also trained thousands of community members, schoolchildren, nurse and midwife educators, public health nurses, legal aid providers, religious leaders, and journalists.  The training sessions have addressed sexual and reproductive health issues, aiming to end gender-based violence, female genital mutilation and child marriages.

Funded by Finland and implemented by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the project has worked to eradicate deeply rooted harmful traditions and practices through multi-stakeholder collaboration. This involves strengthening the knowledge, skills and accountability of local authorities while promoting the rights and readiness of girls and women, particularly those with disabilities, to defend their rights.

The project has also focused on involving men and boys, and promoting so-called positive masculinity. It aims to engage other influential community figures such as religious and traditional leaders, who often have the power to continue or change these traditions, as advocates for gender equality.