By Hamad Rashid /The Loyal Media.
The non-governmental organization GLAMI (Girls Livelihood and Mentor Initiatives), held the meeting with parents where the government leaders were invited. In front of parents, one of the political leaders was noted saying, “The primary responsibility for a child’s upbringing should start with the parent or guardian, with teachers and the community following afterward.” Kisaki Ward Councillor Hon. Athuman Nassoro Mbande, emphasizes to parents the importance of focusing on proper, positive upbringing to raise strong girls who will contribute to positive changes in their societies.
Early October 2024, GLAMI, continued with its mission by conducting parents’ meetings in its partner schools including Kisaki Maji Moto Secondary School in Kisaki Ward, Morogoro District. The meeting included Binti Shupavu scholars’ parents, teachers, and local government leaders with a focus on raising awareness among parents on child rights, sexual reproductive health, and parenting.
The Binti Shupavu program is a four-year life skill and personal leadership program implemented by GLAMI focusing on imparting girls with life skills to ensure they complete their education and become leaders of change in their respective communities. During the session, the issue of parenting arose as facilitators continued their dialogue with the parents.
Josophina Itatilo, one of the Binti Shupavu Scholars’ guardians, at Kisaki ward, was interviewed after the meeting and quoted saying “I am interested in the discussion sessions on how parents can participate in their children’s education and upbringing. Our children are experiencing behavioral changes in their adolescent stage that lead to moral decay if not properly handled by parents. I am very happy and I expect our children to learn more from GLAMI mentors as their role models”
Josophina’s Itatilo a guardian from Kisaki ward explains the importance of GLAMI parents’ meetings in this era of childcare challenges
The message from Josophina shows how their meeting with GLAMI was important in this era of childcare challenges.
Government Leaders’ Emphasis during the meeting
Education Officer at Kisaki Ward Javier George Mwasekaga emphasized to parents their roles to support their children’s education journey and ensure a community collective effort to protect children from gender-based violence. He also reminded parents to make regular monitoring of their children’s academic progress at school and provide them with scholastic materials.
Kisaki Ward Executive Officer Raymond Alfred Mwakilema, in his contribution, was also quoted saying “There is no politics in raising a child. If a child makes a mistake, the parent must accept it and not defend the behavior”. He insisted on parents’ roles for proper upbringing and that they should work on suppressing bad cultural practices that hinder a girl child from staying in school.
According to Einoth Justine, the Binti Shupavu Program Manager Morogoro, in 2024, a total of 907 girls from ten secondary schools were recruited in the program, marking an increase of 43 girls from 2023 when 864 girls from nine secondary schools were enrolled.
Speaking after the meeting, GLAMI’s program social worker and community liaison for the Morogoro Region, Deborah Elias Ijiko, said, “As a part of our approach in the Binti Shupavu Program, parents’ engagements meetings are vital to bring together parents, teachers, and community leaders to discuss effective ways of supporting girls. We are grateful for the success of today’s meeting as we are hoping for a huge cooperation to raise strong, courageous girls who can contribute positively to the community and the nation.”
Among the topics facilitated in the parents’ engagement meetings are Children’s Rights, Gender Based Violence Awareness, and Sexual Reproductive Health for youth.
The urgent need for Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Awareness:
Dr. Almas Yusuph, a statistics officer from the Morogoro District Health Department, shared with the author, “Sexual reproductive Health awareness is crucial for girls, as many engage in relationships at a young age, leading to adolescent pregnancies, STIs and Abortions.” He added, “From January to October 2024, a total of 1,470 adolescent pregnant cases were documented in Morogoro District, compared to 336 during the same period in 2023.” These statistics underscore the importance of life skills and Sexual Reproduction Health and Rights education and support for young girls in Morogoro District.
