Siasa na Jamii: Pressing Social Concerns and Civic Engagement Among Secondary School Students in Tanzania

In this study, we explored Tanzanian secondary school students’ identification of pressing concerns in their daily lives and their civic engagement actions. Data were collected in two phases. In Phase 1, 48 boys and girls in the Dar es Salaam and Pwani regions of Tanzania participated in one of eight focus groups. Using thematic analysis, we identified initial themes. In Phase 2, two additional focus groups were conducted with 13 students in a girls’ school in Dar es Salaam to explore in greater detail the themes, especially those related to girls and women. Using thematic analysis across the two phases we identified eight interlocking pressing concerns discussed by the youth: Corruption/Misuse of Resources, Poverty and Unemployment, Limited Resources, Gender-Based Violence and Discrimination, Bias and Conflict, Diminished School and Learning Environment, Diminished Quality of Life and Future Potential, and Community Health. Youth engaged in a range of civic actions, including educating self and others, joining student groups, and being a leader and role model.