World Vision Malawi has renewed calls for increased support for girls’ education, advocating for scaling up of school meals programmes to combat child hunger.
In an interview on the sidelines of events held to mark the International Day of the Girl Child in Lilongwe on Friday, World Vision advocacy campaign and safeguarding manager Lizzie Lombe said young people, particularly girls, are disproportionately affected by pandemics, disasters and food crises.
She said these challenges undermine any progress made in addressing child marriages and teenage pregnancies.
Said Lombe: “We need deliberate efforts to address the challenges girls face, even during disasters, to ensure a comprehensive approach to these issues.
“Malnutrition and child hunger are jeopardising girls’ education, which is why we are now advocating for scaling up of school meal programmes.”
She said they are enhancing child participation activities and parental interventions to empower girls while ensuring they receive parental support.
“We encourage girls to discuss issues that affect them to understand their right,” said Lombe.
Speaking during the event, two Form Four students from Nkhoma Community Day Secondary School, where the organisation is implementing various projects, highlighted the obstacles they face in their pursuit for education.
In her speech, Naomi Richman said: “Every girl has a dream, but as we reach adolescence, that dream often fades. Early pregnancies, gender-based violence and child marriages rob us of our potential to become independent.”
On her part, Violet Phiri talked about the impact of hunger on education.
World Vision commemorated this year’s International Day of the Girl Child under the theme ‘Girls vision for the future
