Education is a powerful tool for transformation, and for many young girls across Africa, finding their voice is the first step towards empowerment. FAWE’s TUSEME Model is a groundbreaking approach that equips girls with the confidence, skills, and knowledge to express themselves, address challenges, and take active roles in leadership and decision-making.

As part of its continuous efforts to expand the impact of TUSEME, FAWE organized a Training of Trainers Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from February 28 to March 3, 2025. This training brings together representatives from FAWE Uganda, FAWE Kenya, and FAWE Ethiopia to deepen their understanding of the model and build their capacity to implement it in their respective countries.

Understanding the TUSEME Model

The TUSEME Model is based on the Swahili word “TUSEME,” which means “Let’s Speak Out.” It is designed to empower young people, especially girls, to identify social, cultural, and educational challenges affecting them and to develop solutions through advocacy, leadership, and artistic expression such as theatre, poetry, song, and drama.

This model recognizes that empowering girls is not just about education—it is about giving them a platform to actively participate in shaping their future. Through TUSEME, girls learn essential life skills, boost their self-confidence, and develop leadership abilities that prepare them for meaningful contributions in their communities and beyond.

The Training Program Agenda

Day 1: Setting the Stage for Empowerment

The first day focuses on creating an engaging and inclusive workshop environment. Participants will go through registration, introductions, and official opening ceremonies, setting the foundation for the next four days. They will also define their expectations and vote on training ground rules to ensure a smooth learning process. Leadership roles such as time manager, journalist, and morale booster will be assigned among participants.

The day continues with sessions on gender and empowerment, highlighting the importance of gender-responsive teaching and school management systems. Discussions will explore how teachers can create an inclusive and empowering learning environment for both boys and girls.

Day 2: Exploring the TUSEME Approach

Day 2 introduces participants to the core principles and stages of the TUSEME Model. They will gain insights into what TUSEME is, why it is important, and how it can be implemented effectively.

Group work activities will allow participants to examine real-life scenarios from their respective countries and analyze how the model can be adapted to address different challenges. The day concludes with data collection and analysis exercises, helping participants build a solid framework for implementing TUSEME programs in their communities.

Day 3: The Power of Artistic Expression

A key feature of the TUSEME Model is its use of theater, poetry, song, and drama as advocacy tools. Day 3 will focus on theater creation and interactive activities, encouraging participants to develop performances that convey strong social messages.

The day will culminate in a theater performance, where groups will showcase their creative works. This will serve as a demonstration of how artistic expression can be used to engage communities, spark discussions, and drive change.

Day 4: Taking Action for Lasting Impact

The final day of training shifts from learning to action. Participants will engage in life skills training and learn how to form and manage TUSEME clubs in their schools and communities. These clubs will act as platforms where students can continue advocating for gender equality and leadership development.

To ensure sustainability, the training will include sessions on stakeholder engagement, monitoring, and evaluation. By the end of the program, each country team will have developed an action plan to implement TUSEME in their respective FAWE chapters.

The training will conclude with closing remarks and a family photo, symbolizing the unity and commitment of FAWE in advancing girls’ education and empowerment.

The Road Ahead

FAWE’s TUSEME Model is more than just a training program—it is a movement that seeks to transform lives by empowering young people to speak out, take action, and become changemakers in their societies. The upcoming TUSEME training in Addis Ababa is a crucial step in equipping more educators and leaders with the skills needed to expand this model and inspire the next generation of empowered girls and boys.