UNICEF promotes girls’ innovation, digital empowerment in Tanzania

DODOMA: AS part of a three-day visit to Tanzania, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell met with adolescent girls and young women innovators involved in a UNICEF-supported programme aimed at equipping youth with digital skills to address real-life challenges and empower their lives.

This comes with the background that women in Africa are 37 per cent less likely than men to access the internet.

In Tanzania, only 22 per cent of women possess basic digital skills compared to 32 per cent of men, according to the World Bank.

The report shows that boys aged 15 to 19 are more likely to own a mobile phone than girls of the same age and boys are more than twice as likely as girls to access the internet.

Harmful social and gender norms, limited resources, child marriage and early pregnancy often hinder girls’ opportunities to develop technical and vocational skills.

This leaves them underrepresented in fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), as well as digital industries sectors that are critical for the future job market.

Without targeted interventions, adolescent girls and young women risk being left behind, reinforcing cycles of poverty and limiting their ability to unlock their full potential.

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“Investing in young innovators, particularly girls, is investing in Tanzania’s future. Nurturing their skills and creativity can unlock solutions and drive economic growth that will save and improve the lives of children today and for generations to come,” said Russell.

“The government and private partners are doing an amazing job in advancing these results and UNICEF is proud to support their efforts through our expertise and lessons learned from other countries.”

Young innovators shared their ideas and technical experiences, fuelled by UNICEF Tanzania’s digital skills and innovation programmes. These initiatives provide youth especially girls with the tools to tackle pressing societal issues while aligning with Tanzania’s Vision 2050 for digital transformation and economic growth.

“STEM is not just about science and technology, computers and equations; it’s about solving real problems and creating opportunities for the future. I want every girl in Tanzania to know that she belongs in tech and her ideas can change the world!” said Tupokigwe Simon, 16, a member of UNICEF’s Global Girls Leaders Advisory Group (GGLAG) and a STEM champion.

UNICEF is collaborating with the government, the private sector and academic institutions to ensure sustained support for young innovators.

The goal is to foster a generation of problem-solvers and leaders who will drive Tanzania’s digital transformation. Russell is in Tanzania to witness the country’s impressive development gains for children and to explore ways to accelerate progress in addressing ongoing challenges in saving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable children.

One key focus is strengthening integrated services for adolescent girls to ensure they have access to quality education, health services and protection from early marriage and violence.