On Sunday March 10^th the women of Zanzibar made history.  The first gathering of ‘Aspiring Young(female) Leaders’ took place.  ” This fully packed and inspirational conference was the kick off for a Girl's Leadership Project by the Ministry of Education (Kiembe Samaki Cluster this time around). The intention is that the 42 girls in attendance  will create a ‘girls club or campaign’ at their individual schools.

I was moved to tears a few times not just by the women facilitators and speakers who were ‘role-models’ from the local community,  but also by the girls themselves.  Listening to their passion and excitement of who they wanted to become as adults, or how they saw their role vs those of boys and men, was very moving indeed. These thriving girls have bright minds and had lot's to say about their world.  One big way that they stretched themselves was to speak their thoughts outloud in English.  This is more than some of their teachers could do (and remember, all education from HS up is in English).  Some of these girls were just one year into HS and yet worked at becoming fluent in what has become an essential language in this country.  Very impressive for me as I struggle to learn a second language like Spanish or Swahili.

The adult ‘role-models’ held workshops on various topics relating to girls lives.  For example AIDA  Abdalla Suleman , an entrepreneur and designer at Stone Town’s Sasik, inspired  the participants at her workshop titled “You can get it if you really want”.  Two Gender Officers from MoET , Hasina and Fatma, helped the girls to explore their roles and rights, where I witnessed lively debate.  There was inspiration and education from a Matron at the hospital and a workshop on developing their dreams and direction for the future.  Along with the four workshop leaders, two elders from the community joined in a question and answer Panel.  Mama Naila Jiddawi opened the day with a inspirational talk plus enlighted the girls on such things as women and governance and local community building.  Dr. Narriman Jiddawi spoke of her role-models, mother and grandmother, plus her journey to become one of the few women on Zanzibar holding a PhD (Marine Biology). 

Why focus on empowering ‘girls’ you might be wondering?  I think it’s widely apparent that across the developing countries girls have been marginalized.  Girls are less likely to be taken to a doctor when sick, to get vaccinated, and to attend school than their male counterparts. Instead, she is cleaning, cooking, and generally confined to the home. As soon as possible, she will be married off and start having children, with few choices to do otherwise.  I don’t imagine things are a lot different on Zanzibar.  But you might be surprised to learn that study after study confirms that when given the right educational and vocational opportunities, a girl will invest almost all her income and knowledge into her family.  This results in women having fewer, and healthier children but also helps lift their families and their nations out of poverty.  (see www.girleffect.com).  Even when the girls make it through high school, career plans are often derailed by marriage and family commitments.

Next week there will be a 1/2 day follow-up session with the girls and their Teacher-mentors (one per school) to help them create and further develop the 'club' which they will be in complete charge of running.  Of course there will Ministry and other adult mentors, offering help along the way, but ultimately the girl’s will experience and grow their own leadership qualities both within the club and the activities of the club.  These clubs could range from discussions on current events, health and wellbeing, community contribution or sports and music.  Whatever the group of girl’s choose will be their focus.

At the conference, the girls watched a series of small video clips featuring girls and women throughout Africa involved in clubs.  They also saw a clip on a Muslim girl from Pakistan who has achieved her black belt i Karate and a Girl’s Rugby team from South Africa.  These ‘sport related videos’ seemed to really stand out for the girls as sports are only directed at boys here.  Once they are teens the girls are ready for marriage and busy at home with all the 'women's' responsibilities. Dr Jiddawi made a point of telling the girls how she was an elite athlete in her youth and won the National title in her sport. The girls were astounded and broke into applause at this announcement!!

According to the girls and the presenters, it was a complete success, and their broad smiles at the end of the day confirmed this.  A confirmation of this would be Mama Naila’s response when asked ‘do you see tomorrow’s President in this room’?  To this she said “ I see at least two!!” 

I feel privileged and fulfilled to have been part of developing and facilitating 'an historical event' (as one of the women leaders said) to elevate the status of girls/women in this culture. I was hoping to continue with the project and other's on Zanzibar as Gender Equality is a huge issue here but will not be staying.  However, I do believe even if just 1 girl is motivated by what she experienced yesterday, has her mind and eyes and heart opened to stand up for herself or take power of her own future, then I have accomplished what I came for!! Of course I do know it's a much bigger effect than that. Reminds me...look of "Girl Effect" to see one of the video's we showed.

Thanks to all mothers, grandmothers, aunties and community women for encouraging, inspiring and mentoring the girl’s in your life to ‘be the best she can’ and to ‘strive for more’ with ‘determination and grace’.