Our Stories
Inspiring Change: How SRHR Education is Empowering the Next Generation
28th July 2025 | Opportunities for excellence
The story highlights 10-year-old Susan Albert from Kigamboni, Tanzania, who was inspired by learning about sexual and reproductive health and rights at the Tanzania Health Summit to educate and empower other girls in her community. It celebrates her leadership and UNFPA’s efforts, supported by the Government of Sweden, to ensure every girl is informed, confident, and free to shape her own future.
Empowering Every Girl: Susan’s Journey to Lead Change in Kigamboni
On the International Day of the Girl, we celebrate girls and all they can do.
Every girl has the right to embrace who she is and choose who she wants to become. On her path to adulthood, she must be protected, respected, and allowed to flourish — her aspirations heard, her rights and choices protected.
At just 10 years old, Susan Albert, a bright and determined girl from Kigamboni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, dreams of becoming a teacher — not only to educate others but also to empower girls to know their worth and protect their future.
Learning to Lead at the Tanzania Health Summit
During the Tanzania Health Summit (THS 2025) held in Dar es Salaam from 1–3 October 2025, Susan, accompanied by her mother (a community health worker), visited the UNFPA booth. There, she joined other young girls in learning about sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) under the theme “My Body, My Rights.”
The UNFPA booth provided a safe and interactive space for adolescents to explore critical topics such as menstrual health management, body autonomy, self-confidence, and the prevention of teenage pregnancy. Through storytelling, discussions, and visual learning materials, Susan and her peers gained life-changing knowledge about their bodies, rights, and the importance of staying in school.
“I feel so happy and strong after learning that my body belongs to me,” said Susan with excitement.
“Every girl deserves to know her rights — I want to share this knowledge with my friends at school.”
Becoming a Voice for Change
Inspired by the experience, Susan requested 50 SRHR publications from UNFPA to take back to her school in Kigamboni. She plans to start small group discussions with her classmates to share what she learned about making informed choices, delaying early pregnancy, and supporting one another to achieve their dreams.
“I want every girl to be confident, healthy, and fearless about her dreams,” she added.
“We can end teenage pregnancy if we learn early and support one another.”
Susan’s story reflects UNFPA’s ongoing mission to empower adolescents and young people with accurate information and life skills to protect their health and well-being.
Empowering Girls Across Tanzania
With support from the Government of Sweden, UNFPA is implementing programmes across Tanzania that strengthen comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), expand youth-friendly health services, and promote community awareness to reduce teenage pregnancy and gender-based violence.
Sweden’s partnership has been instrumental in ensuring that every girl — like Susan — can grow up informed, empowered, and free to make her own choices.
Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative to the United Republic of Tanzania, commended Susan’s courage and leadership:
“Susan’s story reminds us that when girls have access to information and education, they can transform their lives and their communities. With support from the Government of Sweden, UNFPA continues to empower adolescent girls with knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to achieve their full potential.”
A Call to Action
Through these collective efforts, UNFPA Tanzania, in collaboration with the Government of Tanzania and development partners, continues to champion a future where every girl is healthy, educated, and empowered — ready to lead change in her community and beyond.
When a girl steps up to meet the challenges she faces, she must be sure that the world stands beside her — ready to chart the path forward, not for her, but with her.
On this International Day of the Girl, let us commit to advancing the sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescent girls in all their beautiful diversities, wherever they live.
Let us work with and for girls to help them reach their full potential and build a bright future for themselves and their communities.
They deserve nothing less.