{{EngvarB|date=April 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2019}} {{Infobox person | name = Rebeca Gyumi | other names = | birth_name = | image = Rebeca Gyumi.png | caption = Gyumi in 2018 | birth_place = Dodoma Tanzania | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|12|03}} | occupation = Founder, executive director, activist, lawyer, television host | years active = | alma_mater = *University of Dar Es Salaam ( LL.B) | spouse = | website = {{URL|msichana.or.tz}} }}

'''Rebeca Z. Gyumi''' is the Founder & Executive Director at Msichana Initiative, a Tanzanian NGO which aims to empower girls through education, and address key challenges which limit girls' right to education. She has worked for over 8 years with Femina, a youth-focused organisation, as a TV personality and youth advocate.<ref name="globalshapers.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.globalshapers.org/shapers/rebecca-gyumi|title=Rebecca Gyumi – Global Shapers Community|website=Globalshapers.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/08/meet-the-young-woman-who-just-helped-end-child-marriage-in-tanzania/|title=Meet the young woman who helped end child marriage in Tanzania|website=Weforum.org}}</ref>

==Early life and education== She was born in Dodoma, Tanzania, where she began her education at Mazengo Primary School. She continued her secondary studies at Kikuyu Day Secondary School in Dodoma, before advancing to Kilakala High School in Morogoro. She later pursued a law degree at the University of Dar es Salaam, from which she graduated.

==Career== thumb|A United Nations video featuring Gyumi and her work

Gyumi is a lawyer and the founder and executive director at Msichana Initiative, a Tanzanian NGO which aims to empower girls through their education, and address challenges which limit a girl’s right to education. Gyumi began work with Femina in 2008, employed as a TV personality and as a youth advocate. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aisagiss.org/2016/speakers/rebeca-gyumi/|title=Rebeca Gyumi « AISA-GISS 2016|website=Aisagiss.org}}</ref>

Gyumi won a landmark case on child marriages, through the petition she filed at the High Court of Tanzania to challenge the Tanzania Marriage Act, 1971 which allowed girls as young as 14 to get married. The resulting decision raised the minimum age of marriage to 18 for both boys and girls.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aisagiss.org/2016/speakers/rebeca-gyumi/|title=Rebeca Gyumi « AISA-GISS 2016|website=Aisagiss.org}}</ref><ref name="weforum">{{cite web|url=https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/08/meet-the-young-woman-who-just-helped-end-child-marriage-in-tanzania/|website=Weforum.org|title=Meet the young woman who helped end child marriage in Tanzania &#124; World Economic Forum|accessdate=2016-11-06}}</ref><ref name="cnn">{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2016/11/03/intv-amanpour-rebeca-gyumi.cnn|website=CNN|title=The woman who fought to stop child marriages, and won – CNN Video|date=4 November 2016 |access-date=2016-11-06}}</ref>

Gyumi engages in youth advocacy through her work with organizations and her volunteer efforts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bongo5.com/mamlaka-ya-elimu-tanzania-kuandaa-mbio-za-hisani-kuchangisha-fedha-za-ujenzi-wa-mabweni-08-2012/|title=Mamlaka ya elimu Tanzania kuandaa mbio za hisani kuchangisha fedha za ujenzi wa mabweni|date=2 August 2012|website=Bongo5.com|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref>

She has travelled across Tanzania to engage young people on civic participation, sexual and reproductive health, and economic empowerment. Her advocacy has led her to speak and facilitate at national and international forums focused on youth and girls.

Gyumi served as Vice-President of the Tanzania Association of U.S. State Alumni (TUSSAA), was the Trek4Mandela Tanzania leg ambassador, and is a board member of SNV-Netherlands' Opportunity for Youth Employment (OYE) project.<ref name="globalshapers.org"/> In July 2013, she chaired the National Youth Constitution Forum, where youth from both the mainland and Zanzibar reviewed the draft Constitution.<ref name="globalshapers.org"/>

Gyumi chaired the National Consortium of Youth CSOs in advocating for the enactment of the National Youth Council, which led to its inclusion in the proposed Constitution.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tanzaniatoday.co.tz/news/bunge-la-pitisha-sheria-ya-kuanzishwa-baraza-la-vijana/|title=Bunge la Pitisha Sheria ya Kuanzishwa Baraza La Vijana – Magazeti ya leo- Tanzania News -Tanzania Today|website=Tanzaniatoday.co.tz|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref> In 2015, she led a girl-centred election campaign promoting participation in the general election with the Global Peace Foundation to advocate for a peaceful and inclusive election.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tanzaniatoday.co.tz/news/fema-tv-show-nguvu-ya-binti-yatarajiwa-kuanza-rasmi/|title=FEMA TV SHOW NGUVU YA BINTI YATARAJIWA KUANZA RASMI – Magazeti ya leo|website=Tanzaniatoday.co.tz|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref> In 2017, she contributed to the 28th AU Summit with a focus on youths, "Harnessing the Demographic Dividend by Investments in Youth".<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thecitizen.co.tz/magazine/success/Passion-behind-Gyumi-s-struggle-for-girls--rights/1843788-3840814-format-xhtml-99kmmnz/index.html|title=Passion behind Gyumi's struggle for girls' rights|date=7 March 2017|website=Thecitizen.co.tz|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref> She spoke at the Aflatoun Global Meeting in Nairobi on using social media to integrate social and financial education in youth initiatives using technology.<ref>[https://storify.com/Aflatoun/aflatoun-international-meeting/] {{dead link|date=September 2018}}</ref>

In 2013, she was selected by the US embassy in Tanzania to attend International Visitors Leadership Program (IVLP). She won the 2017 inaugural IVLP alumni award for social innovation and change for her landmark win at the High Court.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/globaltiesus/status/829758239956942848|title=Global Ties U.S. on Twitter|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=http://www.globaltiesus.org/our-impact/awards/ivlp-alum-award|title=IVLP Alumni Award for Social Innovation and Change|website=Global Ties U.S.|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref>

In 2012, she was the ambassador and coordinator for the national campaign under the government through the Tanzania Education Authority (TEA). The campaign aimed to raise funds for the construction of girls’ hostels in eight regions in Tanzania and rescue girls who had to walk long distance to school, or drop out completely. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://issamichuzi.blogspot.com/2012/07/mabalozi-wa-harambee-ya-ujenzi-wa.html|title=MABALOZI WA HARAMBEE YA UJENZI WA HOSTELI ZA WASICHANA WA SEKONDARI WAZINDUA KAMPENI YA "ELIMU YAO, WAJIBU WETU"|website=Issamichuzi.blogspot.com|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref>

In October 2016, she spoke at UNICEF’s Global commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child in New York and received the Social Change Award for her role in ending legal provisions allowing child marriage in Tanzania. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2016/10/news-un-women-commemorates-international-day-of-the-girl-child|title=UN Women commemorates International Day of the Girl Child|website=Unwomen.org|date=11 October 2016 |accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref>

In 2016, she joined Melinda Gates in a panel discussion on young women's involvement in small-scale farming, addressing challenges and solutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/MariaSarungi/photos/pb.179537335498983.-2207520000.1468202553./977139862405389/?type=3&theater|title=Maria Sarungi-Tsehai|website=Facebook.com|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref>

In November 2016, Gyumi supported Girls Not Brides in global fundraising efforts to end child marriage. She is one of nine global members of the UNICEF–UNFPA advisory committee for the program to end child marriage. She also volunteers and serves as an ambassador for campaigns promoting safe schools and quality education in Tanzania. <ref name="auto1"/>

She was named 2016 UNICEF global goals award winner for her work in advancing girls’ rights in Tanzania. <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unicef.org/media/media_92782.html|title=Global Goals Awards honour champions for women's and girls' rights|website=Unicef.org|accessdate=15 September 2018}}</ref> She was named among the 2016 African Women of the Year by New African Woman magazine. <ref name="nawmagazine.com">{{cite web|url=http://nawmagazine.com/who-is-changing-the-game-here-are-the-2017-new-african-woman-awards-nominees/|title=Who Is Changing The Game? Here are the 2017 New African Woman Awards Nominees|date=7 April 2017|website=Nawmagazine.com|accessdate=15 September 2018|archive-date=16 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916055813/https://nawmagazine.com/who-is-changing-the-game-here-are-the-2017-new-african-woman-awards-nominees/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Gyumi is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community and a Young Leaders Fellow at the University of Cape Town.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.globalshapers.org/shapers/rebecca-gyumi |title=Rebecca Gyumi &#124; Global Shapers Community |access-date=2016-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185256/https://www.globalshapers.org/shapers/rebecca-gyumi |archive-date=2016-11-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- !Year !Event !Prize !Result |- |2013 |Tanzania Under 30 Youth Awards |Social Impact Category |{{nominated}} |- |2016 |United Nations Global Goals Awards |Social Change Award |{{won}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://campuslane.co.tz/rebeca-gyumi-wins-united-nations-global-goals-award-on-social-change/ |title=Rebeca Gyumi wins United Nations Global Goals Award on Social Change – Campuslane |access-date=2016-11-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106185754/http://campuslane.co.tz/rebeca-gyumi-wins-united-nations-global-goals-award-on-social-change/ |archive-date=2016-11-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- |2017 |International Visitors Leadership Program Alumni Awards |Social Innovation and Change Award |{{won}}<ref name="auto"/> |- | |New Africa Woman Awards |New Africa Woman On The Rise |{{nominated}}<ref name="nawmagazine.com"/> |- | |Clouds Fm Malkia Wa Nguvu Awards | Inspirational Icon |{{won}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvpcYvQ8oDY|title=HAWA NDIO MALKIA WA NGUVU WA MWAKA 2017|date=20 March 2017|accessdate=15 September 2018|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> |- |2018 |Tanzania Women of Achievement |Young Achiever Award |Won<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/twaorg/p/Bo8qyklnZg0/|title=The Women of Achievement on Instagram: "#GetToKnowTWAAwardWinners2018 Young Achiever Award won by @RebecaGyumi . Rebeca Gyumi is a Founder & Executive Director at Msichana…"|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=2018-12-01}}</ref> |- |2018 |United Nations Headquarters New York Awards |United Nations Human Rights Prize |Won<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/swahili/habari-46014780|title=Mtanzania Rebeca Gyumi ashinda tuzo ya Umoja wa Mataifa|website=BBC News Swahili|language=sw|access-date=2018-12-01}}</ref> |- |2020 |BBC |BBC 100 Inspiring women |<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-23|title=BBC 100 Women 2020: Who is on the list this year?|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-55042935|access-date=2020-11-23}}</ref> |}

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{Portal|Tanzania}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Gyumi, Rebeca}} Category:1986 births Category:Living people Category:Tanzanian women lawyers Category:21st-century Tanzanian lawyers Category:University of Dar es Salaam alumni