22,000 girls empowered to overcome barriers to education
Grumeti Fund Human Resources Manager Amsi Nyambuche speaks on Monday, July 20, 2026, during a forum discussing challenges facing female students in communities surrounding the Grumeti and Ikorongo game reserves in Bunda and Serengeti districts, and ways of addressing them. PHOTO | BELDINA NYAKEKE
More than 22,000 female students in communities surrounding Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserves have received confidence-building education aimed at helping them overcome challenges such as gender-based violence, harmful social practices and other barriers affecting their academic progress.
Serengeti. More than 22,000 female students in Mara Region have been empowered with confidence-building skills to help them address challenges affecting their education, including gender-based violence and other social barriers.
The students, drawn from schools surrounding the Grumeti and Ikorongo Game Reserves in Bunda and Serengeti districts, have benefited from empowerment forums organised by Grumeti Fund over the past decade.
Grumeti Fund Education Officer, Elizabeth Magoto, said the organisation has conducted about 90 sessions aimed at creating a platform for girls to discuss challenges they face and explore ways of overcoming them.
Speaking during a forum held at Natta Secondary School in Serengeti District on July 20, 2026, Magoto said the initiative has started producing positive results, particularly in improving girls’ confidence and participation in education opportunities.
"We have been organising these forums to enable female students to discuss their challenges and find ways of overcoming them, and we are already seeing positive results," she said.
She said one of the achievements has been an increase in the number of girls applying for scholarships offered by the organisation, including those pursuing science-related subjects.
Magoto said previously, applications were dominated by male students, with girls making up only about 30 percent compared to 70 percent boys, particularly in science programmes. However, the ratio has now reached 50:50.
"Currently, we have an equal ratio of applications from female and male students, and there is also an increase in girls applying for science subjects," she said.
Grumeti Fund Human Resources Manager, Amsi Nyambuche, said the organisation would continue conducting such forums to strengthen girls’ confidence and help them pursue their educational goals.
She said the platforms also expose students to successful individuals who share their experiences on overcoming obstacles and achieving their ambitions.
"Girls in these communities still face many challenges, so we want to empower them to rise above those challenges and achieve their dreams, especially in education, because education is the foundation of life," Nyambuche said.
During the forum, students highlighted challenges including long distances to school, which often cause them to miss classes, and limited study time due to household responsibilities.
They called on the government and other stakeholders to consider constructing hostels in secondary schools to help reduce challenges affecting female students.
Student Magori Kaitira urged communities to abandon outdated customs and traditions that limit girls’ opportunities, saying female children should be given equal rights and support.
She said the belief that women cannot become leaders is outdated, pointing to examples of women leading at local, national and international levels.
Another student, Fatuma Ramadhani, called for stronger efforts by the government and human rights organisations to address challenges that continue to hinder girls from achieving their goals.
She said changing negative cultural practices and supporting girls’ education would benefit the wider society.
