ARUSHA, Tanzania, May 22 (Xinhua) -- UN agencies have teamed up to support 14,000 Tanzanian schoolgirls and young women in a new 5 million U.S. dollars project for quality education.
The project is part of the Global Initiative by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Women for the Empowerment of Girls through education, launched in six countries around the world.
Leonard Akwilapo, Tanzania's Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said on Tuesday that the four-year project will be implemented in five districts of Ngorongoro in Arusha Region, Kasulu in Kigoma, Sengerema in Mwanza and Micheweni and Mkoani in Pemba.
He said that the project is aimed at facilitating girls to realize their educational dreams and have the opportunity to develop their full potential to become fully-fledged citizens.
Zulmira Rodriguez, UNESCO Representative, noted that the project becomes a new solution to tackle early illiteracy in a setting that lacks enough human resources and infrastructure to provide quality education.
"The project intends to support the efforts of the ministry to provide quality education to all and to empower and pay attention to those who are still lagging behind, especially girls and young women," she said
Rodriguez further noted that the needs of out of school girls and mothers will be addressed, hence availing them of a second chance to further development through.
Hashina Begum, UNFPA's country Representative, called upon the government and stakeholders to ensure that more maternal health education and awareness is provided to youth, including those in remote areas.
