Founded in 2011 by Vincent Vinbro Ssekamatte and Faudhia Yusuf Soeder in Bagamoyo, Tanzania, the Forward Step Organization (FSO) is a non-profit dedicated to empowering girls and women in Tanzania. FSO focuses its efforts in the Bagamoyo, Chalinze, and Kilindi districts, supporting initiatives in education, health, art, and environmental protection.
FSO’s mission is to advance gender equality for women and girls, combat gender-based discrimination, and promote awareness and acceptance of women’s health and education.
Girls are the most vulnerable parts of our community. If we help them, we ultimately support their families and by thiy, the whole community.
Vincent Vinbro Ssekamatte, 2024
The Situation for Girls and Women in Tanzania
Tanzania has made strides in protecting women’s rights through legal reforms that prohibit gender-based discrimination and promote education for girls. The government enforces a 30% quota for women in government positions. However, deep-rooted patriarchal norms perpetuate widespread discrimination, particularly in rural areas.
Many girls face physical, mental, and sexual violence throughout their lives, often in structurally protected environments such as schools and public spaces. Menstruation poses additional challenges, as the lack of hygiene products, proper sanitation facilities, and education causes many girls to drop out of school. Pregnant girls are often expelled from school, ostracized by their families, and left to face uncertain futures for themselves and their children.
The Forward Step Organization (FSO) actively advocates for the rights of girls and women, focusing on health, education, employment opportunities, and the fight against violence and discrimination.
FSO’s Projects
FSO offers ongoing programs at its premises and across its area of operation. Collaborative projects with international partners in dance, acrobatics, circus, and theater have also been conducted in recent years.
The organization’s work is consolidated under the SupportHerEvolve (SHE) Program, a holistic initiative aimed at promoting health, skill development, and poverty alleviation for rural youth, pregnant youth, and young mothers. Specific projects within the SHE Program include the FSO Safe House, the Women’s Health Support Project, the Girls to School, Marriage for Women Project, and the Women’s Skills Training Project.
- FSO Safe House Project: Offers women and girls protection from violence. Victims receive first aid, clothing, meals, care, and legal support in a safe house.
- Women’s Health Support Project: Provides financial support for pregnant women to meet their needs during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Workshops with professionals address topics such as reproductive health and care, and workshops on menstrual hygiene are offered, with reusable sanitary pads distributed.
- Girls to School, Marriage for Women Project: Helps young mothers return to school. FSO covers school fees and provides mental and academic support for the youth.
- Women’s Skills Training Project: Trains young mothers in English, mathematics, and digital skills to facilitate their return to school or entry into the labor market. Additionally, skills in jewelry making, art, and gardening are taught.
The SHE program
The SHE Program has already reached over 4,000 girls and young women. At FSO’s premises, girls and young women have found a safe place where they can develop freely, without fear of discrimination or violence, and receive support for their mental well-being.
Challenges for FSO
The primary challenges currently faced by FSO are limited funding and a small, unpaid staff. The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the financial situation. Both the ongoing operational costs of FSO and the costs of the described projects are financed through private donations, which can fluctuate significantly and are difficult to predict.
FSO is reliant on consistent financial support to ensure the long-term sustainability and successful operation of the organization.
Donations
Your donations make a difference. Please find general donation examples below. For detailed information, please contact us.
General Donation:
Sustaining FSO
FSO requires continuous funds for land tenure rent, electricity, internet, consumables for daily use,
Earmarked:
Personalized contribution
Funds are needed to pay FSO staff on a continuous basis.
Also, donations can be earmarked to specific individuals to pay for their education, school fees, transport costs, or other daily expenses.
Earmarked: Project-related contribution
The above described projects require constant donations. You can earmark your donation to a specific project. Especially the Safe House currently requires funds for consumables.
