ERIPOTO for Girls & Women is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization founded in 2022 to end gender-based violence and empower women and girls through education, advocacy, and opportunity. The name Eripoto means “safety and security” in the Maasai language—reflecting our mission to protect, uplift, and create lasting change for those who need it most.

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Founded by Esuvat Lucumay—a Maasai woman and survivor of early forced marriage—Eripoto provides a holistic network of support for women and girls who have experienced violence. Our Safe House offers shelter, counseling, mentorship, and access to education for more than 40 residents at a time, including survivors and their children. Girls receive scholarships and attend school while also gaining vocational skills such as sewing, beading, and soap-making—skills that offer both healing and economic opportunity.

 

Beyond the Safe House, our Outreach & Violence Prevention Program reaches thousands of students in rural schools through workshops on abuse prevention, self-esteem, and goal setting. In three rural communities, we offer similar programming to young women who were unable to complete school, adding entrepreneurship training, climate education, and menstrual health support. Our early childhood Day Care and Preschool provides young children—many born to survivors in our care—with a nurturing start while also generating income through neighborhood enrollment.

 

Eripoto’s work is rooted in cultural understanding, lived experience, and community trust. We partner with schools, local leaders, and social services to ensure support systems extend beyond our walls. Each year, our programs reach more than 10,000 individuals—breaking cycles of poverty and violence, restoring dignity, and building a more equitable future across northern Tanzania.

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OUR VISION: We envision a world where every woman and girl lives free from violence—with the opportunity to learn, lead, and thrive. In this future, harmful traditions are transformed, communities are strengthened by empowered women, and safety, equality, and hope are the foundation of everyday life.

 

OUR MISSION: ERIPOTO for Girls & Women empowers women and girls in northern Tanzania to live free from violence and oppression. We provide safe shelter and holistic care to survivors, prevent gender-based violence through education and outreach, and equip individuals with the tools to achieve lasting social and economic change. Led by women with lived experience and grounded in local culture, our work fosters safety, dignity, and opportunity for future generations.

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CORE VALUES:

• Integrity: Upholding honesty and strong moral principles in all our actions.

• Accountability: Taking responsibility for our decisions and their outcomes.

• Volunteerism: Encouraging active participation and service within the community.

• Transparency: Operating in an open and clear manner to build trust.

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ORGANIZATION OBJECTIVES:

• Promote Quality Education: Ensure access to education for girls and women to empower them for a better future.

• Raise Awareness About Harmful Practices: Educate communities about the negative impacts of practices like early forced marriage and female genital mutilation.

• Advocate for Human Rights: Focus on the rights of women and girls to live free from violence and discrimination.

• Equip Girls and Young Women with Income-Generating Skills: Provide vocational training to foster economic empowerment.

• Strengthen Women's Entrepreneurial Capacity: Support women in developing sustainable livelihoods to support their families.

• Provide a Safe, Supportive, and Healing Environment: Offer shelter and counseling for girls and young women who have experienced violence.