Gender project performs wonders in Malawi schools

A three-year gender project in over 30 clubs in both primary and secondary schools has performed wonders in Blantyre Archdiocese of the Catholic Church.

The project, funded by Mesereor from Germany and implemented by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) has eliminated the gender gap between boys and girls.

“Boys and girls in the schools where gender clubs exist are able to perform same tasks, for example, mopping, sweeping and digging. In the past, mopping was believed to be a girl’s task, but that is not the case now. There is great cooperation between boys and girls in schools,” said Blantyre Archdiocese CCJP acting secretary Joseph Kampango during an open day for the clubs at Limbe Cathedral in the week.

He said the project targeted school going boys and girls because previous projects that targeted adults failed to achieve results.

“These young ones are the right nursery to plant the gender seeds so that as they grow they grow with gender knowledge at heart. We want to prepare a country that will embrace gender values without problems,” said Kampango.

Patron for Adolorata Community Day Secondary School gender club Blessings Makwinja said his students reach communities around the school with gender information through displays and performances.

“They are changing the communities as far as gender is concerned,” said Makwinja.

One learner, Beaton Salipita from Chikuli Primary School, said he is not shy to mop the house at home after getting gender knowledge.