26-year-old Sheilla Kipuyo writes about using film to foster conversations about girls’ rights and combatting child marriage in communities through MEDEA Tanzania.
Every day, young girls’ dreams shatter under the weight of an early marriage. Imagine a childhood cut short, where going to school or playing with friends becomes a distant memory as responsibilities meant for adults fall to girls. This scenario is not just a story, it’s a reality for millions of girls worldwide. With over 650 million women married young, the scale of child marriage is staggering, and Tanzania is no exception.
In Tanzania, as in many parts of the world, families facing economic hardship often see marriage as one of the only options for their daughters and a way to ease financial burdens. Yet this choice robs young girls of their education and keeps them trapped in cycles of poverty. When girls marry early, they almost always leave school, ending their chance to gain knowledge and skills that could lead to a brighter future. Without an education, she has few pathways to financial independence or personal growth.
Growing up in a Maasai community, I witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by girls, especially the devastating impact of child marriage on their education and future. I was fortunate my parents believed in the power of education and supported me despite cultural pressures. Their support ignited a passion within me to advocate for girls’ rights and use my voice to protect their potential. Education can transform lives, yet child marriage continues to block countless girls from pursuing that path. In my role as the Girls’ Agency Lead at Media for Development and Advocacy (MEDEA Tanzania), I’ve learned how storytelling, particularly through film, can raise awareness, challenge harmful traditions and advocate for a future where every girl has the opportunity to reach her full potential.
At Media for Development and Advocacy (MEDEA), a youth-driven NGO based in Dar es Salaam, we use film as a medium to illuminate this issue. Films allow us to tell the human stories behind statistics, making the consequences of child marriage tangible and relatable for audiences. By presenting real-life narratives, we encourage parents, community leaders, policymakers, educators and young girls to see the importance of girls’ education and understand the damage caused by marrying girls at a younger age.
One of our most impactful films, “Ndoano”, follows the story of Munira, a young girl attempting to escape the chains of child marriage to pursue her dreams. The film has resonated deeply with audiences, including those in Kishapu village in Shinyanga. I remember Theresia, a 21-year-old girl who attended a screening of “Ndoano”. After watching the film, she shared her experience: "This film reflects the lives of so many young girls in my village. I couldn’t help but think of my friend who dropped out of school because her parents arranged for her marriage to an older man from the city. She left, and we never heard from her again."
Theresia now advocates for girls’ rights to access and complete their education in a safe and supportive environment. In her community, she leads by example, inspiring others to recognise that girls not only deserve the opportunity to learn but also the potential to lead.
Another initiative was led by Neema, a 23-year-old Young Girl Advocate (YGA) from Kishapu, who stands against child marriage. During a debate organised by the YGAs, Neema courageously shed light on the harsh realities faced by young girls forced into early marriages. "If a young girl is tempted with small gifts like dresses, chips and other things, or if her parents pressure her to marry, she might feel compelled to do so. But if a girl is equipped with knowledge about her right to education and if the law allowing girls to marry at 14 is amended, the rates of child marriage in our country and communities will significantly decrease," she said. Neema’s fearless advocacy highlights the critical importance of education and legal reform in combating child marriage.
Screenings of films like “Ndoano” and activities organised by YGAs don’t just educate; they create safe spaces for open dialogue. When we host film events, we invite community leaders, parents, educators, and girls to engage in discussions that challenge the deeply rooted practices of child and early marriage. These discussions encourage critical thinking and often lead to commitments from community leaders to support girls’ education and delay marriage.
Film can uniquely bridge cultural and generational divides and reach people in ways that conventional campaigns sometimes cannot. When community members see stories that reflect their own experiences, they begin to question practices they may have accepted as unchangeable. With each screening and discussion, the message spreads wider, building a collective movement that values and protects girls’ education.
In the newest film and first documentary, “Stolen Innocence” — premiering March 14 — a journalist embarks on a journey to uncover the root causes of Tanzania’s long-standing struggle against child marriage.
We know that films don’t just raise awareness; they inspire action. People who may have seen early marriage as inevitable are now advocates for girls’ education. With every new advocate and ally, we’re closer to ensuring that girls can pursue their education and build the future they deserve.
As I continue to explore and use film as a tool for advocacy, I remain dedicated to amplifying the voices of young girls and inspiring communities to protect their potential. The films we screen do more than highlight the realities of child marriage; they show the resilience and strength of girls who dare to dream.
By continuing to tell these stories, I hope to build a future where every girl in Tanzania has the opportunity to go to school, explore her potential, and live a life free from the constraints of early marriage.
