Young people in Uyole Ward, Mbeya City, have raised concerns about being economically exploited by older women, blaming tough economic conditions for pushing some of them into transactional relationships to meet their basic needs.
Speaking during a gender and reproductive health awareness forum held at Uyole Primary School, the youths highlighted the impact of economic hardship on their lives.
The event was organized by the NGO YES in partnership with DSW under the SAFA project, which focuses on strengthening youth welfare systems in health, education, and overall development.
Paul Chisanga, Chairperson of the Youth and Development Group in Uyole Ward, noted that financial challenges have left many young people vulnerable to economic exploitation.
“Youths seeking casual labor often find themselves underpaid or denied fair compensation, which is a form of economic violence,” Chisanga said. “For instance, older women—commonly known as ‘aunts’ in urban areas—use their financial power to entice young men into sexual relationships, offering money or material benefits. This is a clear case of exploitation.”
In response to the issue, Fransic Ngelela, a Community Development Officer for Mbeya City Council, announced that the council has allocated over TZS 1.2 billion in loans to support women, youths, and persons with disabilities.
“The loans, which have already been disbursed in the first phase, aim to empower young people economically and curb the challenges they face,” Ngelela explained.
Ngelela, who also coordinates NGOs in Mbeya City, commended organizations like YES for collaborating with the government to address issues such as gender-based violence and reproductive health.
Adveta Stanmbuli, Project Officer at YES, highlighted that the organization uses football as a strategic tool to gather youths and provide them with education on gender and reproductive health.
“The project targets five wards in Mbeya City including Uyole, Iganjo, Igawilo, Nzovwe, and Uyole. Our goal is to reach at least 2,000 youths, many of whom lack awareness of gender and reproductive health issues,” Stanmbuli said. “Football is an effective approach, as it brings together large groups of young people at one time.”
The forum emphasized the importance of addressing economic exploitation while equipping young people with knowledge to make informed choices about their health and well-being.