Network for Youth Development (NfYD) has warned that unless girls are empowered through education, they will continue to live in poverty and be victims of gender-based violence (GBV).
The non-governmental organisation’s (NGO) national coordinator Agatha Silungwe made the remarks on Saturday during a debate and quiz competition held in Nkhotakota. The other participants came from from Dowa, Lilongwe and Mzimba districts.
“An uneducated girl is less capable of making her own family planning decisions. A child bride is more likely to face health issues and psychological distress, and her children are more exposed to malnutrition and illiteracy,” she said.
She added that protecting girls from sexual harassment is a fundamental step to achieving girls’ high educational attainment.
Chinsapo Secondary School emerged victorious after beating Nkhotakota Secondary School and Mbalame Community Day Secondary School from Dowa. While in primary school category, Kafulufulu Primary School from Mzimba won against Nkhotakota LEA and Ng’ozi Primary School from Dowa.
In an interview after the event, Mirriam Lipita, a Form Four student at Chinsapo Secondary School, commended NfYD for organising the competition, saying it helps students to work hard in school.
Lipita denounced the tendency of some parents who give preference to boys when educating children.
The project was funded by Development Fund of Norway.
