Invest in youths—NGOs
A consortium of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has asked duty-bearers to equip youths in Machinga District with various skills that will help them generate income.
The NGOs, including Youth Response for Social Change, Forum for Youth Development and Nayuchi Aids Network made the call on Saturday during a learning and sharing event held in the district.
Youth Response for Social Change executive director Lameck Kiyare said unless the government allocates more resources to empower the youth, achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Malawi 2063 will be difficult.
He said the NGOs have terminated 320 child marriages in six traditional authorities (T/As) in the district since 2021 and have since trained 65 girls in vocational skills such as tailoring, design and farming through their Social Transformation for Ending Child Marriages Project.
“The project, which phases out in November this year, has been successful because of support from the district council and traditional leaders and their structures,” said Kiyare.
A survivor from T/A Chikwewo, who is set to start Form Four in the 2024/25 academic year, thanked the NGOs for rescuing her from marriage.
“I was forced into marriage at a young age due to poverty and my family believed it was the best way to solve our financial problems,” she said.
Machinga district commissioner Rodrick Mateauma acknowledged the role NGOs are playing in the fight against child marriages.
“Before the project, we were not performing well as a district. I am confident that we are now on the right track,” he said.
Senior Chief Kachindamoto of Dedza, a national champion in the fight against child marriages, faulted parents who marry off their children due to poverty and hunger.
The project started in 2021 with funding from the United States Agency for International Development
