Fighting gender-based violence key to girls’ success

The Forum for African Women Educationalists in Malawi (Fawema) says a collective stand against gender-based violence is key to the success of girls’ education in the country.

The organisation has since embarked on a four-month (first phase) K7 million project to sensitise school committee members, parents-teachers’ associations (PTAs), teachers and pupils in 40 schools in Mzimba and Kasungu to the need to fight gender-based violence.

Speaking in Mzimba on Saturday, Fawema building skills for life project officer Aubrey Chakuzika said a  Plan Malawi survey showed that a bigger percentage of girls drop out of school due to gender-based violence.

“Alcohol and other drug abuse and culture are some of the major reasons girls experience violence and that is why we are involving different people to fight the malpractice.

“We want more girls to reach at least Form Four. They should not be dropping out of school due to gender-based violence,” said Chakuzika.

One of the participants, Group Village Head Chalambira Shonga, said some girls are forced into early marriages in Mzimba because of poverty.