Malala’s message to Tanzania: Turn education policy into law

These girls face multiple barriers: long distances to school, safety concerns within school environments, and the impact of teenage pregnancy and early motherhood, which have kept so many from returning to the classroom.
Our priority is to address these challenges by working hand-in-hand with local education activists.

We want to ensure that in Tanzania, no girl is denied the opportunity to learn. Being here and meeting girls, educators, and activists has been deeply inspiring.

How does a country that spent over 50 years denying young mothers access to education efficiently implement reintegration programmes in such a short time?

The policy change allowing young mothers to return to school is a milestone. But it’s only the beginning. We need to ensure it’s not just a statement but a sustained commitment, embedded in law and implemented seriously across the country.

This involves working with communities and, most importantly, directly with the girls.
One of the organisations we support is Msichana Initiative, whose activists are doing exactly that, engaging with schools, communities, and the girls themselves to ensure real and lasting change.
There is no clear legal framework to enforce the policy reversal.

What kind of policy shifts would you like to see in Tanzania to make this a binding legal mandate?

Malala Fund partners with 11 local organisations across Tanzania that are actively advocating for legal protections for girls’ rights and education. You're right, the absence of a legal framework makes these gains vulnerable to reversal with political shifts.

That’s what worries me most: girls’ rights are fragile. We need binding laws that guarantee their right to education, regardless of who is in power. Without legal protection, progress can too easily be undone.

How are cultural norms being addressed to support girls’ re-entry into school and their reintegration into society?

Our partners are working in some of the most underserved regions of Tanzania, places where as few as 3 percent of girls complete secondary education. Tackling cultural barriers requires local leadership. That’s why our model focuses on supporting grassroots activists who understand the community dynamics and can lead change from within.

When communities, educators, and policymakers come together, real change is possible. I’m very hopeful because of the determination I’ve seen here.

Child marriage remains a barrier to girls’ education across Africa. What do you see as the most effective solutions?

Malala Fund is unequivocally against child marriage. A child should never be forced into marriage; it strips away their dreams, their rights, and their futures.

My hope is that in every country, including Tanzania, no girl under 18 is forced to marry. The best way to protect girls is through education. When we invest in girls’ education, we give them choices, we help them imagine and shape their own future. And we must support laws and policies that protect them from being married off too young.

Many African countries still have laws that permit child marriage. Why do you think it has been so difficult to repeal them?

A major reason is the absence of girls and women in policymaking spaces. Too often, decisions about girls' futures are made without them being present, without their voices being heard.

If leaders took the time to visit schools or speak with girls in communities, they would hear dreams that are filled with ambition, girls who want to be doctors, teachers, athletes, or politicians. They don’t want to be forced into marriage; they want safe, quality education.

That’s why youth-led activism is so important. Girls must be part of the change; they must be seen and heard.

What collaborative actions can be taken at a global level to address these challenges?

At Malala Fund, we’re focused on two critical priorities: first, ensuring young mothers can return to school, and second, making schools safe from gender-based violence (GBV), whether at home, in transit, or on school grounds.

For girls to stay in school, they must feel safe and supported. Governments must prioritise their protection. If safety isn’t guaranteed, millions of girls will continue to be excluded from education.

The global debt crisis continues to affect education and health funding. How can world leaders address this problem?

This is a growing concern. While we’ve made progress in advocating for girls’ education, many countries are now facing economic setbacks and aid cuts.

A study we conducted found that in 2024, the ten countries most difficult for girls to access education are spending four times more on debt repayments than on education. This is simply unsustainable.

That’s why Malala Fund is engaging in the debt reform conversation and partnering with institutions like the Global Partnership for Education. Through global alliances, we must pressure world leaders to prioritise education financing and unlock resources for the 120 million girls still out of school.

The world celebrates Malala Day on July 12. What does the day mean to you personally?

Malala Day is a celebration of every girl around the world. Every girl is inspiring, and every girl deserves the right to learn and thrive.

I use this day to amplify the voices of girls and draw attention to their stories.

This year, I celebrated my 28th birthday here in Tanzania, meeting girls whose dreams inspired me deeply.

The first girl I met told me she wants to become the president of Tanzania. Others want to be doctors, athletes, teachers, and advocates.

That gives me tremendous hope. But it also reminds me of the over 2 million Tanzanian girls who are still out of secondary school. We cannot leave them behind.

Looking back, what gave you the courage to continue advocating even after the attack on your life?

I remember what it felt like to be denied an education at age 15. I remember being attacked for wanting to learn. But I also remember all the girls I’ve met who have been denied the same right.

This is an unjust world for girls, and that must change. I chose to transform my personal experience into a global movement.

The Taliban tried to silence me, but now I use my voice to speak up for every girl, from Pakistan to Afghanistan to Tanzania.

We must create a world where no girl is out of school.

What is your message to a Tanzanian girl who dreams of achieving greatness, even when the odds are stacked against her?

To every girl in Tanzania, and every girl in the world, I want you to know that you are powerful. You can change your life and your community.

Believe in yourself. Stand up for your dreams. Know that your voice matters, and your future matters. I stand with you, and together, we will continue to call on every leader to protect your right to learn, so that you can lead, thrive, and change the world.