Tanzania Programme
Interact Worldwide in Tanzania
Tanzania is a large, poorly resourced country facing many obstacles to development, with an estimated 36% of the population living below the poverty line. Although this figure has decreased during the past decade, fertility rates and maternal mortality levels are high, and 6.5% of the population live with HIV. The population is growing rapidly, and young people under 25 represent a significant proportion of the total population. However, young people are also often the most vulnerable, especially girls, children and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS, and young people with disabilities. They can be affected by a range of social problems, such as unemployment, child labour, commercial sex work, sexual harassment, abuse, adolescent pregnancy, female genital mutilation, and other harmful traditional practices.
There is a lack of awareness of young people’s sexual and reproductive rights among parents, community and young people themselves. The provision of sexual and reproductive health information and services to the young population has remained sensitive and controversial among many communities. Young people are not encouraged to express their views or participate in decision-making processes, meaning they cannot inform government, communities or each other about important issues affecting their welfare. In the 15–19 age group HIV infection rates are four times higher among young women than among their male counterparts.Interact Worldwide has been working in Tanzania for more than 15 years. Our main partner is Chama Cha Uzazi Na Malezi Bora (UMATI), the IPPF affiliate.
Visit our current project in Tanzania:
Empowering the Youth: The Young Voices for Change Project