Girls education initiative on the right track—Fawema

Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi (Fawema) says keeping girls in schools initiative is on the right track in Nsanje district as there has been tremendous reduction in dropout cases.

The forum’s Southern Region chairperson Dora Chilenje said this in an interview on Saturday on the sidelines of an event called Weekend Advocacy, Girls Space, School Experience held in the district.

She noted that many girls have now a good experience and understanding on the importance of education.

“Girls are now able to appreciate the importance of education despite several challenges they encounter in the community. They are able to stand up and say no to harmful cultural practices that led them into dropping out of school.

“In the past, more learners were forced into early marriages leading to early pregnancies and subsequently dropping out of school. But now, things have improved for the better as such cases are few,” Chilenje said.

Nsanje district senior education inspector Mary Kadyasiche said although harmful practices negatively affect girls’ education, Nsanje is on the right track in terms of keeping girls in school.

Fawema promotes gender equity and quality education in Malawi through policy advocacy, implementation of gender responsive programmes, removal of negative social norms and implementing a three-year Department for International Development (DfID) funded cash transfers to female learners to improve their attendance and performance. n