Priest hails gender project

Chairperson of Blantyre Archdiocese Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) Father John Kuziona has described as successful a three-year gender awareness project among the youth in primary and secondary schools.

Speaking at Nantipwiri Pastoral Centre in Thyolo last week, Kuziona said both girls and boys who were involved in the project are now able to do domestic chores together.

“Boys are now able to do what was regarded as girls’ chores such as mopping and fetching water. Girls too comfortably slash grass, clean windows, sweep and do all that boys can do. There is coexistence between them. They see each other as equal partners,” said Kuziona.

He said the project involved 30 clubs in 25 schools. He said the project was a follow-up to a gender-based violence project after noting that there were gender knowledge gaps among pupils.

Blantyre Archdiocese CCJP acting secretary Joseph Kampango said the project transformed the pupils into ambassadors of gender as their clubs participate in activities at the village level.

“They are hired to perform and as they do it they pass gender messages,” said Kampango.