Zanzibar, 27 May 2025 – The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation (ZMBF) today signed a Capacity Grant Agreement marking a significant step forward in promoting the health, rights, and empowerment of women, adolescents, and youth in Zanzibar.
The signing ceremony was graced by Dr. Josephine Rogate Kimaro, member of the board of Trustees of ZMBF, and Mr. Mark Bryan Schreiner, UNFPA Representative in Tanzania, along with members of the media.
The agreement, valued at USD 30,000 (TZS 81,000,00), symbolizes UNFPA’s continued commitment to supporting locally led, gender-transformative solutions that address sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender-based violence (GBV), and harmful practices. Through this grant, ZMBF will receive targeted support to enhance its capacity in SRHR advocacy, communication, and community engagement.
“This collaboration is more than a grant. It is a shared commitment to ensure that no woman, girl, or young person is left behind,” said Mr. Mark Bryan Schreiner during his remarks. “By investing in ZMBF’s capacity, we are investing in Zanzibar’s long-term health, equity, and resilience.”
Under the leadership of the First Lady, ZMBF has emerged as a transformative grassroots organization that amplifies community voices and promotes inclusive development. The partnership with UNFPA will focus on conducting a needs assessment, strengthening advocacy and communications skills, developing culturally sensitive materials, and
enhancing the Foundation’s social media outreach, particularly to young people.
Dr. Kimaro commended the partnership, emphasizing the importance of community-led efforts in achieving sustainable impact.
“On behalf of HE the First Lady, Madam Mariam Mwinyi, the Foundation appreciates the support received from the UNFPA Tanzania and looks forward to deeper collaborations aligned with its Vision, for the benefit of the Zanzibaris, in particular, women, girls and youth in general”.
The grant is part of the broader UNFPA Tanzania Country Programme, which seeks to expand equitable access to integrated SRHR, GBV, and HIV services, particularly for women, adolescents, and marginalized groups. It also builds on UNFPA’s ongoing collaboration with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar in areas such as maternal health, youth-friendly services, and the elimination of harmful practices like child marriage and addressing negative social norms.
The partnership with ZMBF reflects a global shift toward the localization of development efforts, ensuring that solutions are community-owned, culturally responsive, and sustainable.
About UNFPA: UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
About ZMBF: The Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation, chaired by the First Lady of
Zanzibar, works to promote social well-being, inclusion, and empowerment in Zanzibar, with a focus on health, education, and community resilience.
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Media Queries
Contacts:
Communications Office
Zanzibar Maisha Bora Foundation
Email: info@zmbf.or.tz
website: www.zmbf.or.tz
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Dr.Jimmy Minja
Communications Officer
UNFPA Tanzania
Email: minja@unfpa.org
Tel: +255 742635355
