In Tanzania, more than 50% of 18-year-old girls are pregnant or already mothers, and two in five girls are married by the age of 18. Factors contributing to early sexual debut and high numbers of unplanned pregnancies include a contraception prevalence of just 12% for sexually active adolescents and young women (aged 15-24), a legislative environment that permits girls to be married as young as 15 years (18 years for boys), and limited provision of comprehensive sex education in schools resulting in little awareness around HIV, AIDS, and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH). Although SRH problems are higher for both young males and females, adolescent girls and women are the most vulnerable groups due to existing social cultural norms.

To maintain their sexual and reproductive health, youth in Tanzania need access to accurate information and safe, effective, affordable, and acceptable methods of contraception of their choice. They must be informed and empowered to protect themselves from sexually transmitted infections. Simulizi Festival, through performances by various artists like Girls Power Dance, will help amplify voices, call for accountability, and improve access to information. This will ultimately help to counter sexual and reproductive health barriers among girls and young people.

Girls Power Dance Tanzania is a female-led dance group that was established in 2014 in the city of Dar Es Salaam. Since 2017, as part of its creative activities, Girls Power has created, produced, and toured nationally with its own performances and workshops, as well as commissioned works for dance companies, universities, dance institutions, and festivals. The group was built by five strong and brilliant young female dancers from underprivileged and vulnerable backgrounds. Girls Power Dance has become a revolutionary force, offering emancipation and hope, not only to young women but also to the dance industry at large.

On May 20th, 2023, Girls Power Dance is expected to perform "Ushawishi (Influence)" during the Simulizi Festival. "Ushawishi" is a dance choreography that portrays the power of peer pressure and how misinformation about menstruation puts young girls at risk of behaviors such as teenage pregnancy, which is a major barrier to achieving their education dreams. "Ushawishi" is one of Girls Power Dance's famous choreography performances that have been showcased in different international and national platforms, such as Haba Na Haba International Dance and Bagamoyo Festival.

In Tanzania, most growing female artists, especially dancers like Girls Power Dance, are still marginalized when it comes to performing at different festivals and concerts compared to other artists, especially mainstream musicians. This has made it difficult for them to thrive financially and mentally, despite the great potential they have. The problem is especially high for female dancers due to existing social cultural norms that portray them as hooligans. Girls Power Dance intends to break this barrier by giving more power and courage to young female artists to amplify their voices and improve education and information among adolescents and young girls through choreography and contemporary music performances.

Why Girls Power Dance?

We believe that investing in the talent of young female artists is a powerful way to create change and raise awareness around sexual and reproductive health and rights. With your help, we can support Girls Power Dance to use their talent to educate and empower young people in their communities. The Simulizi Festival anticipates giving a platform for girls and young women artists like Girls Power Dance to address their problems, challenge the status quo, and amplify their voices and those of the underprivileged to achieve an equal society. Girls Power Dance is committed to performing during the Simulizi Festival to empower other adolescent girls and young people. However, they can't do it without your support. Your donations will enable the following:

- $350 for Transport and Logistic - this includes transport during rehearsal, and day of performance

- $280 Props and Costumes - needed during performance especially for choreography performance

- $1,500 Honorary for Performance - for 5 young female artists.

You can watch ‘Ushawishi’ choreography which they expect to perform during Simulizi Festival.

Did You Know?

About Simulizi Festival

The first edition of the Simulizi Festival, organized by Mema Afrika, is scheduled to take place on May 20th, 2023. The festival aims to address the issues surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights in Tanzania by bringing together artists, and innovators to address the challenges around sexual and reproductive health through storytelling. As part of the festival, 15 young female artists, including choreographers, singers, dancers, and poets, will be performing. Simulizi, which means storytelling in Swahili, also seeks to amplify the voices of young female artists who are often marginalized and excluded from important conversations around these topics.