Tanzania, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) Our Rights, Our Lives, Our Future (O3) PLUS project is making significant strides in ensuring that young people in higher learning institutions in Tanzania achieve positive health education and gender equality outcomes. The project’s efforts are aimed at reducing new HIV infections, unintended pregnancy, and sexual and gender-based violence in these institutions.
According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the project, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, conducted a 3-day training session for health and well-being policy committees and implementers from 13 higher learning institutions. The focus was on the effective implementation and monitoring of students’ health and wellbeing policies.
During the training, there was a strong emphasis on the importance of collaboration for policy implementation. Mr. Clement Sanga, a representative from the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, stressed that health and well-being policies are not just for the benefit of students, but they also promote the overall wellness of the entire campus community.
The O3 PLUS project impacts 15 institutions, benefiting a population of over 140,000. These include the University of Dar es Salaam (Mlimani campus), Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), Mkwawa University College of Education (MUCE), and others.
Mathias Luhanya, National Programme Officer for Education for Health and Wellbeing Programs at UNESCO, emphasized the necessity of good relationships among learners, tutors, and service providers on campuses. He highlighted that these relationships depend on effective health and wellbeing policies and their implementation.
The initiative marks a significant effort towards creating safer, healthier, and more inclusive learning environments in Tanzania’s higher education institutions.