Fawema for girls’ education

Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi (Fawema) has asked National Girls Education Network to collaborate with stakeholders to improve girls’ education in the country.

Fawema member responsible for advocacy and communication Dina Katonda said this on Monday during an advocacy training for National Girls Education Network members on the 2020-2030 Malawi Education Sector Investment Plan in Salima.

She said it is important that organisations working to promote girls’ education should work with parents, chiefs and other leaders to help girls remain in school.

Said Katonda: “These people have a vital role in encouraging and supporting girls to complete their education and not drop out of school.

“Parents, for example, have a duty to encourage their children and provide resources to their children and discourage them from going into early marriages.”

She said the advocacy training sought to help network members share ideas, challenges and solutions in improving girls’ education in the country.

Said Katonda: “The meeting also sought to empower National Girls Education Network members with knowledge and understanding of the revised National Girls Education Strategy and how members can influence the implementation of these commitments both at national and district level.

Girls Activist Youth Organisation field officer Karen Seyani said the meeting provided an opportunity for sharing ideas with other organisations in improving girls’ education and strengthening their network.

“It is good to share ideas with other organisations, the projects we implement and the support we render towards girls’ education because it prevents duplication of activities by other organisations,” she said.

Seyani said for her organisation to achieve its mandate, there is need to work with other partners to enhance quality education for girls.

“We encourage communities and leaders to ensure that girls remain in school,” she said.

During the meeting, organisations shared that poverty and early marriages are some OF the factors affecting girls’ education in the country.

Fawema held the meeting through a five-year project it is implementing with Plan Malawi and Southern African Trust with financial support from The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The project seeks to prevent teenage pregnancies and child marriages in the country.