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Our Story

The Women and Youth Movement (WOYOMO) is a feminist, youth- and women-led non-profit organization founded in 2020 by Ms. Monica Patrick, driven by lived experiences of inequality and a deep commitment to creating opportunities for girls and young women in Tanzania.

Founded 2020

A Vision Born from Lived Experience

Growing up in a rural Sukuma community, Monica Patrick witnessed how deeply rooted gender inequality shaped the lives of girls — limiting education, silencing voices, and closing doors to opportunity. These lived realities became the foundation for a movement that refuses to be silent.

A supportive upbringing showed her that belief and encouragement can unlock a girl's entire potential. So she set out to build that belief at scale.

Silenced Voices

Many girls were discouraged from education while women were expected to endure inequality in silence — without support, without independence, and without a future they could call their own.

Support That Changed Everything

A supportive upbringing and community showed Monica that belief and encouragement can unlock a girl's potential — and that this gift must be extended to every girl, not just the fortunate few.

Ideas Into Action

During university, a small initiative took root — focused on mentorship, confidence-building, and supporting girls navigating real challenges. It was the seed of something far bigger.

Growth & Expansion

What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a movement — reaching more communities, training more leaders, and amplifying more voices across Tanzania.

Where We Are Today

Today, WOYOMO empowers girls through education, economic opportunities, safe spaces, and feminist advocacy — building a Tanzania where every girl is free, equal, and unstoppable.

Thematic Focus Areas

Everything we do is organized around four interconnected pillars — each one essential to achieving lasting gender justice for girls and young women in Tanzania.

Education Justice
Economic Empowerment
Gender Equality
Health, Mental Health & SRHR

Our Why

In Tanzania, girls and young women continue to face systemic barriers that deny them equal opportunities to learn, grow, and lead. Deep-rooted gender norms, poverty, limited access to education, and widespread gender-based violence hold them back from reaching their full potential.

24%
of teenage girls aged 15–19 have had a child or are pregnant, with even higher rates in rural areas
40%
of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical violence in Tanzania
17%
have faced sexual violence — often in silence due to stigma and weak protection systems

The School Dropout Crisis

Teenage pregnancy remains a leading cause of school dropouts. Many girls never return to education, limiting their economic independence and reinforcing cycles of poverty for entire families.

Gender-Based Violence

Many women and girls face physical and sexual violence, often in silence due to stigma, cultural norms, and limited protection systems — leaving them without justice or support.

Economic Exclusion

Young women face limited access to jobs, vocational training, and economic opportunity — increasing dependency and vulnerability to exploitation and abuse.

Systemic Barriers

Deep-rooted inequality and intersecting layers of poverty create layered challenges that demand structural, long-term, and holistic solutions — not quick fixes.

WOYOMO Exists to Challenge and Change These Realities

We believe lasting transformation requires a holistic approach that combines education, safe spaces, economic empowerment, survivor support, and feminist advocacy.

We do not treat these as separate issues — because they are not. Each one is connected. When a girl stays in school, she is safer. When she has economic power, she has choices. When she has a safe space, she can heal and lead.

Explore our programs
Education & Mentorship
Safe Spaces
Economic Empowerment
Survivor Support
Feminist Advocacy
Make a Difference

Stand With Girls.
Fuel Our Mission.

Every contribution — big or small — sends a girl to school, keeps her safe, and helps her claim her future. Join us in building a Tanzania where every girl is free, equal, and unstoppable.