Jacqueline, a 15-year-old survivor of child marriage and a pupil at Mpapa Primary School in Blantyre District, found herself navigating the complex intersection of motherhood, trauma and education at the age of14.
Living with her aunt and caring for her one-year-old child, Jacque struggled to juggle her responsibilities as a pupil and a young mother.
The psychological toll of an abusive marriage further compounded her hardships.
Her life took a turn when a teacher introduced her to the She Dreams Club established to provide support and a safe space for girls facing challenges such as child marriage.
Initially feeling out of place due to her status as a mother and survivor of an abusive marriage, Jacqueline was hesitant to fully engage.
However, witnessing her peers sharing their experiences and supporting one another inspired her to open up.
Participating in the club, she discovered the power of communal healing and actively engaged in counselling sessions that empowered her to confront her challenges.
The school’s commitment to creating a supportive environment was evident when teachers implemented regulations that outlawed any form of mockery or discrimination against girls like her.
The safer environment transformed her self-esteem to become a beacon of hope for her peers.
As a real-life example, she now advocates for the rights of girls in Enock Kachulu Village.
Jacque’s journey from a child marriage survivor to an empowered advocate exemplifies the transformative power of education and community support.
In communities where access to quality services is often a luxury, the Girls Empowerment Network (Genet) shines as a beacon of hope.
The local women-led organsation works with girls, young women and their networks to promote autonomy, choice, empowerment and meaningful engagement.
With a commitment to advancing gender equality and social justice, it empowers adolescent girls and young women in Malawi to become advocates for change in their communities.
Genet directly engages more than 500 000 rural, vulnerable and disadvantaged girls through more than 1 000 adolescent clubs and networks in both schools and communities.
By addressing critical issues such as violence, education and health, the change agents are paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future for girls in Malawi.
Challenges
Despite the presence of laws and policies supporting gender justice and women’s empowerment, adolescent girls and young women in the country continue to face severe challenges.
Violence against women and girls remains rampant, with 45 percent of girls aged 15-19 having experienced physical or sexual violence, often at the hands of close relations.
Child marriage, teenage pregnancies and sexual abuse further compound their vulnerability.
With nearly half of girls marrying before turning 18, the country has one of the highest child marriage rates globally.
Poverty, cultural norms and harmful traditional practices perpetuate this cycle of abuse and inequality, pushing girls into early marriages and limiting their educational attainment.
Only 35 percent of pupils who enrol in school complete the full primary cycle and girls are disproportionately affected by school dropouts, driven by early pregnancies, marriage and inadequate school infrastructure.
Furthermore, adolescent girls and young women face limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, contributing to high rates of teenage pregnancies and HIV infections.
Clubs of hope
Through innovative programmes and community-driven solutions, Genet creates meaningful change to empower the next generation through various initiatives.
They include advancing access to sexual and reproductive health rights information and services.
By focusing on mindset change and promoting open conversations, Genet is breaking traditional taboos surrounding reproductive health.
Engaging not only girls but also parents and community leaders, the organisation fosters a supportive environment where young women can access the information and services they need to make informed choices about their health and futures.
This shift in mindset has led to a notable decline in teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in its target communities.
Recognising the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty, the non-governmental organisation encourages girls and young women, including survivors, to return to school.
Through targeted outreach and counselling, the organisation helps these girls rebuild their confidence and see education as a powerful tool for their future.
In collaboration with schools and local governments, the girls and young women receive the support they need, from flexible learning options to childcare support, so that they can further their studies.
The organisation also supported families of orphans and other vulnerable children with sustainable income-generating activities to meet their educational needs. This has promoted the enrolment and retention of at-risk children.
Economic empowerment and financial literacy are at the centre of its work.
Through vocational training, micro-grants and entrepreneurship support, Genet equips young women with the skills they need to become financially independent.
Fostering economic opportunities empowers women to take control of their futures, reducing their vulnerability to exploitation and abuse. These efforts not only change individual lives but also contribute to their communities’ economic development.—Borgen Magazine
