TANZ-AFYA initiative launches to tackle moral erosion among youth

Dodoma. In response to increasing moral erosion among young people in Tanzania, the Doris Mollel Foundation (DMF) has launched a Sexual and Reproductive Health Film, an initiative to contribute to the reduction of maternal morbidity and mortality among adolescents and youth aged 10-24 years in the Dodoma region of Tanzania, as a part of the Tanz-afya Project. 

The two-year project, "Tanzafya," is a collaborative effort managed by three institutions: the Doris Mollel Foundation (DMF), Chama cha Uzazi na Malezi Bora Tanzania (Umati), and Médecins du Monde (MdM). The French Embassy in Tanzania provides funding for the project. 

 According to Dodoma field Officer, Doris Mollel Foundation Joyce Mbwafu, the project will target both students and out-of-school adolescents and youth aged 10 to 24, using films to deliver educational programming that reaches adolescents and Youth in Dodoma.

Mbwafu explained that the educational content in the films will cover reproductive health topics, including puberty, teenage pregnancy and Gender-based Violence.

"Our hope is to empower young people through guardianship so that they grow into morally sound individuals who will serve as positive role models for future generations," said Mbwafu.

For his part, Assistant Director of Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health at the Ministry of Health Dr Felix Bundala , praised the initiative, emphasizing the importance of visual media in spreading awareness about reproductive health.

"This film project is a significant step in supporting the government’s efforts to address reproductive health challenges among youth. 

“We recognize that different approaches, such as radio, school debates, and community events, are essential to educating communities, but our primary goal remains eliminating the negative influences that threaten young people," Dr Bundala stated.

For his part, Médecins du Monde (MdM) Country Director, Elias Pavlopoulos said the   sexual and reproductive health and rights film we are unveiling is designed to address critical issues such as menstrual health, contraception, complications of unsafe abortions, gender-based violence (GBV), and more," he said.

'It is a powerful tool that will educate and empower our young people, providing them with the knowledge they need to navigate these important aspects of their lives. This film will also raise awareness about the available services and how to access care, promoting more equitable access to health resources between girls and boys and reducing gender inequalities," he said

On the other hand, French embassy, Head of Cooperation and Cultural Affairs, Luc Blanco said,the Tanz-afya project its an effort to tackle persistent practices of lack of knowledge among young people and adolescents. 

"The launch of short films that we will see later and the cinebus could be a milestone and reflecting every day’s key issues of Reproductive Health, improving accessibility to reliable information," he said.