Amani Girls Organization has made efforts to increase men’s engagement and emphasize on gender transformative in order to create a favorable place for girls to succeed and achieve in life. Through the LINEA ((Learning Initiatives norms exploitation and abuse, AGO has reached 158 boda boda riders with knowledge on Age Disparate Transactional sex between adult men and adolescent girls, through 3 main topics: Economic, Health and good relationship. The lessons provided by AGO give awareness and cause the best use of power for men that they were able to transform their culture and norms which made them think negatively about girls and women and then think outside the box and see girls and boys have the same place as men.

“LINEA curriculum changed my perspective on how I saw adolescent girls. I used to transport girls to guest houses where they would meet adult men, but now, I counsel them and I warn these adult men on ADTS. Adolescent girls are our children and they deserve our protection,” Matthew (pseudonym), a bodaboda rider at Ilemela District – Mwanza [participant from Men’s curriculum.]

AGO has been working closely with communities and parent groups in Sengerema District, advocating for men to become allies of change through a gender-transformative approach. In collaboration with the government, AGO partners with Community Health Workers (CHWs) to conduct house-to-house visits, encouraging families to send both boys and girls to school. Additionally, they provide education on nutrition for pregnant women and children, child protection and safety, reproductive health, adolescent empowerment, and income-generating activities.

At Nyamatongo Village in Sengerema District, lives a remarkable family, Mr. and Mrs. Japhet Mbogo. Their home is filled with joy as they celebrate the arrival of their baby girl, surrounded by smiles and warmth. With 4 daughters and 2 sons, Mr. Japhet has always been by his wife’s side, accompanying her to the clinic during each pregnancy.

“It hasn’t been easy. Other women look at me with envy, saying this has never happened in our village,” shared Lucia, Japhet’s wife, as she recounted the curious glances she receives when attending clinic visits with her husband.

Since the introduction of the Mapema Education Scheme project in 2019 we have reached 20,000 men and boys, in Sengerema, Ilemela and Nyamagana in the Mwanza region.