Archbishop Dame Sarah Mullally of Canterbury scheduled to meet Pope Leo at end of April

The Director for Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania, Rhobi Samwelly in a cheerful mood after receiving Malkia wa Nguvu 2026 award in Dar es Salaam last week  

By a Special Correspondent

Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania ( HGWT), a nonprofit organization involved in the fight against gender based violence, including FGM and child marriages in Mara Region, has been awarded Malkia wa Nguvu 2026.

The prestigious award hosted by Clouds Media Group was given to HGWT in Dar es Salaam last week, in recognition of its relentless efforts to protect girls and women against harmful cultural practices. 

Addressing the press, shortly after receiving the award, HGWT Managing Director Rhobi Samwelly thanked Clouds Media Group for hosting the annual award and honoring her organization this year.

 I would like to thank the award executives for the honor. May I dedicate this great prize to every stakeholder in and outside Tanzania, who made it possible for us to attain our goals, said Rhobi who is also the founder of HGWT.

She mentioned the stakeholders as Tanzania Development Trust-UK Charity, Netzwerk Rafael- Germany, Polish Aid, Kiabakari Foundation, Hope for Girls and Women- France, French Embassy- Tanzania and FAWCO Foundation.

Others are; Grumeti Reserves Limited, Mapito Camp, Four Seasons Hotels, Nomad Tanzania, June Powell,  C-Sema/ UNFPA , ACP- France, Wojiciech Adam, Koscielniak, Julian and Ann Marcus.

Rhobi also thanked HGWT staff and the beneficiaries of its activities, government leaders, especially the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups, Police Force Gender desk, Mara Regional Commissioner and District Commissioners, saying their support has been quite immeasurable.

Available data show that FGM in Mara Region has sharply declined from 32 per cent in 2010 -2017 to 28 per cent in 2022-2026, thanks to joint initiatives forged by HGWT, government and other stakeholders. 

According to reliable reports, between 2017 and 2025 HGWT managed to rescue 4,481 girls from being subjected to FGM. The girls were sheltered at the organisations safe houses in Butiama and Serengeti districts, receiving essential services including health, education and legal aid. 

Some of the rescued girls have already graduated from secondary schools, colleges and vocational training centres.