LINDI: THE National Economic Empowerment Council (NEEC) has urged leaders in Lindi region to device a comprehensive strategy to prevent early pregnancies among girls.
According to NEEC’s Executive Secretary, Ms Beng’i Issa, such pregnancies disrupt education and hinder economic participation, preventing girls from achieving their full potential.
Ms Issa, issued the call during the launch of the programme dubbed “Strengthening the Economy with Mama Samia (IMASA)” in the region.
She emphasised the need for a strategy to prevent early pregnancies so that girls can fulfil their economic dreams after completing their education.
“This region faces issues where girls drop out of school even after passing their exams to join secondary schools. It is estimated that 30 per cent of these dropouts are due to early pregnancies,” said Ms Beng’i, adding; “Early pregnancies disrupt girls’ economic dreams.”
She added that the IMASA programme aims to empower women, youth and special groups. Providing education to youth is a crucial tool to help them achieve their economic goals, especially considering the many economic opportunities available in the region.
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Ms Beng’i said that the region’s people are engaged in cashew nut farming, sesame, fishing and seaweed cultivation and the programme will collaborate with the region to set priorities and develop programmes for their empowerment.
She noted that the programme was well-received in the region, with residents eager for its swift commencement. Many participants were traders, farmers, value-added crop producers and agricultural brokers.
Secretary of the Federation of People with Disabilities in Lindi Municipality, Ms Zuhura Meza, expressed gratitude to President Mama Samia for initiating the programme, which aims to economically uplift women through entrepreneurship training and empowerment.
“Upon returning home, I will educate people with disabilities who have not registered for the program so that they can also register and access training and empowerment opportunities,” she said, adding that this opportunity is set to uplift people with disabilities.
Rukia Selemen, a seaweed farmer from Kitumbi Kwela in Lindi Municipality, expressed her appreciation for the program’s arrival in their municipality. She said it would provide valuable entrepreneurship education and help her improve her business.
Entrepreneur Fatuma Juma from Kilwa Masoko said she is involved in processing various products, including yogurt, seaweed juice and beauty products such as clothing. She stated that the program has integrated them into a system and improved their work quality.
