Genet wants hindrances to girls education dealt with

Girls Empowerment Network (Genet) has asked government to solve problems girls in the country face to continue with their education.

Genet executive director Joyce Mkandawire said at the weekend during celebration of the International Day for the Girl Child  that more girls drop out of school due problems ranging from distances, lack of desks, sanitation to hygiene, especially when they are in menstrual periods, among others.

“We appeal to government to provide a conducive environment for a girl-child to remain in school until such time she wants to get married. Many girls fail to continue with higher education because some of them sit on the floor. When they want to answer questions it gives them problems to stand, hence the need for desks,” said Mkandawire.

Sister Eunice Dambo, South West Division (Swed) manager said government was doing all it could to provide a better environment to the girls by building girls hostels, providing desks and building more school blocks.

“Government is committed to promoting the girl child to remain in school by putting in place various initiatives such as constructing girls hostels so that we provide good accommodation,” said Dambo.

Dambo appealed to organisations, especially those working in the education sector to help government address some of the problems the girl child faces, saying government alone could not do everything alone.

The celebrations were made possible with funds from Plan Malawi.

Various schools within Blantyre City displayed activities on the day.