Youth Net and Counselling (Yoneco) has advised men in Mangochi to promote girls’ education and curb child marriages.
Yoneco executive director Macbain Mkandawire gave the advice on Saturday at Lukoloma Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Makanjira during a field visit the organisation held alongside officials from Simavi, the Netherlands to appreciate progress of More Than Bride Project (MTB) it is implementing in the area.
captured during the discussion
In an interview, he said there are increased cases of school dropout among children in the district, especially girls, due to poverty, parental neglect or cruelty, a situation which is affecting the promotion of quality education.
“Strive to send your children to school. Ensure that you give them adequate resources that are needed at school,” he said.
Mkandawire said for a long time, men have left the responsibility of caring for the girl child in the hands of their wives.
“Efforts to promote girl child education should start with you men. It is high time you took a leading role in supporting your children’s education,” he said.
In her remarks, Simavi senior programme manager for sexual reproductive health and rights Aika van der Kleij said she was impressed that local communities are now taking part in combating child marriages. n
