A dad dropped he takes his young daughter to the women&#8...

What’s Happening

Alright so “I would rather feel awkward or uncomfortable than having my daughter feel uncomfortable.

” The post A dad dropped he takes his young daughter to the womens restroom. It’s one of the all-time classic “ girl dad ” problems: you’re out with your young daughter and she needs to go potty. (it feels like chaos)

Do you take her into the men’s room or the women’s room?

The Details

Music, community and joy drive real change In a small village in Pwani, a district on Tanzania’s coast, a massive dance party is coming to a close. For the past two hours, locals have paraded through the village streets, singing and beating ngombe drums; now, in a large clearing, a woman named Sheilla motions for everyone to sit facing a large projector screen.

A film premiere is about to begin. It’s an unusual way to kick off a film about gender bias, inequality, early marriage, and other barriers that prevent girls from accessing education in Tanzania.

Why This Matters

But in Pwani and beyond, local organizations backed and funded finding creative, culturally relevant ways like this one to capture people’s interest. The film ends and Sheilla, the Communications and Partnership Lead for Media for Development and Advocacy (MEDEA), stands in front of the crowd once again, asking the audience to reflect: What did you think about the film? How did it relate to your own experience?

The viral nature of this story shows how quickly things can blow up these days.

Key Takeaways

• Sheilla explains that, once the community sees the film, “It brings out conversations within themselves, reflective conversations.
• ” The resonance and immediate action create a ripple effect of change.
• MEDEA Screening Audience in Tanzania.
• Captured for Pura Across Tanzania, gender-based violence often forces adolescent girls out of the classroom.

The Bottom Line

This and other barriers — including child marriage, poverty, conflict, and discrimination — prevent girls from completing their education around the world. Sheilla and her team are using film and radio programs to address the challenges girls face in their communities.

What’s your take on this whole situation?