DAR ES SALAAM, Oct. 11 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday praised Tanzania for providing quality education for girls as the world marked International Day of the Girl Child.
Daniel Baheta, chief of education at UNICEF Tanzania, said the decision by the Tanzanian government to remove obstacles that hinder girls' access to quality education and to allow pregnant girls and teenage mothers to return to school is highly commendable.
The International Day of the Girl Child is celebrated annually on Oct. 11 to highlight and draw attention to the challenges that girls face.
Speaking during the commemoration of the day in the Tanzanian capital of Dodoma, Baheta underscored UNICEF's commitment to working with the government of Tanzania in empowering girls to make informed decisions about their lives, contributing meaningfully to the community and the economy.
According to Tanzania's Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, at least 7,995 girls who dropped out of school have resumed their studies through formal and informal systems.
Adolf Mkenda, Tanzanian minister of education, science and technology, said the government will continue joining forces with other stakeholders in helping girls get a good education.
"Today, we join UNICEF and other partners to acknowledge and celebrate success and abilities realized in efforts to ensure girl children get their rights and quality education," said Mkenda.
