By Hellen Sisya, Founder of Her Education Foundation 

My name is Hellen Sisya, a young feminist and a communication expert by profession, as well as an advocate for girls’ and women’s rights in Tanzania. My journey has been deeply personal, marked by struggle and resilience, and it is my story that fuels the work I do today.

As a teenager, I became a victim of early pregnancy. I was expelled from school after my pregnancy was discovered—a moment that felt like the end of my dreams. Fortunately, my parents supported me to return to school, even though it had to be at a private institution. I worked tirelessly and, through dedication and hard work, I became the best student in my class based on the final exam results. Going back to school not only allowed me to continue learning but also gave me the courage to raise my voice on behalf of other girls facing similar challenges.

In 2017, the late President John Pombe Magufuli declared that young mothers should not be allowed to return to school. His words made many girls feel that society had closed the door on them. At that time, I was already at the University of Dar es Salaam, and I remember asking myself, “What if I had never been given the chance to go back to school?” That question ignited my determination to speak out and advocate for girls’ right to education, fearlessly using media and social media to challenge harmful norms.

By 2019, I completed my university studies, a milestone that marked the culmination of years of perseverance and determination. After finishing, I openly shared my story on social media to highlight the importance of giving girls a second chance and to inspire other young mothers to continue their studies despite stigma and societal pressure.
Today, the government has allowed young mothers to return to school, although challenges such as stigma, discrimination, and economic barriers still persist.

In 2022, I founded Her Education Foundation, an initiative dedicated to advocating for inclusive education systems that allow girls who become pregnant to return to school. Last year, our NGO produced a short film called “Nafasi”, which means Opportunity. The film aimed at exposing the challenges faced by young mothers who wish to return to school and sparked important conversations in communities about supporting these girls..

Beyond my community work, I also serve as a Youth Advisor to the EU Delegation to Tanzania and the East African Community (2024–2026), contributing to youth-inclusive policy development. This year, I attended the three-week Danida Fellowship Programme in Copenhagen, organized by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a learning programme on Strengthening Policy Dialogue to Accelerate SDG Implementation, which enhanced my understanding and skills to advocate effectively for girls and women across Tanzania.

What motivates me most is my own story. I know what it feels like to be judged, silenced, and thought incapable because of early pregnancy. I also know the power of support, opportunity, and education. That experience drives me every day to fight for every girl to have the chance I was given—a chance to learn, grow, and reclaim her dreams.

When I speak today, I speak not just for myself, but for every girl whose voice has been muted and every young mother who believes her story is over. I want them to know: early pregnancy is not the end. With support, determination, and education, it can be the beginning of something powerful.

This is why I continue to fight, speak, and advocate—to ensure that every girl in Tanzania has the opportunity to rise, shine, and thrive.