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Tay Grin takes gender equality to schools

Pupils at Mtakataka CCAP Primary School in Dedza had a rare opportunity to interact with Tay Grin, one of Malawi’s top flying urban artists.

As a champion for the UN Women’s HeForShe initiative, the multi award winning artist had a motivational talk with the pupils as well as a performance to inspire boys to stand up for girls, both in and out of school.

Tay Grin with Senior Chief Kachindamoto and (above) performing amidst pupils

Tay Grin was joined by Kelvin Gumbi, who used his artistic skills to come up with illustrations they used to galvanise action and inspire boys on gender equality.

The two engaged with students from Standard Six, Seven and Eight. They sensitised them on gender equality within and outside schools.

Gumbi showcased his artistry through graphic illustrations (cartoons), displaying scenes which depicted negative scenarios where girls may face violence and discrimination both in school and at home due to gender inequality.

In an interview, Tay Grin said entertainment can be used as a vehicle of delivering key messages.

“Through these messages, we can see the change we all need or are yearning for. By its nature, entertainment is attractive to all people regardless of age, as such, these are the kind of mediums to be used in passing vital information to public. Organisations can also take advantage of artists to use them as agents of change,” he said.

Commenting on the new approach specifically targeting school going children which the UN Women has undertaken in as a far as HeForShe initiative is concerned, he said children need to be empowered from early age.

UN Women representative Clara Anyangwe said the programme, which is within the broader HeForShe initiative, is targeting primary schools in the country.

“We are piloting this project specifically targeting schools. We are planning to roll out to other districts in the next two months preferably. We plan to reach out to about 25 schools in the country. The idea is to have children understanding that gender equality is a vice,” she said.

HeForShe is a solidarity movement for gender equality, inviting men and boys to build on the work of the women’s movement as equal partners.

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