Malawi on Friday launched Africa Union’s Africa Educates Her Campaign in Malawi at Buke Primary School in Balaka District.
The Africa Educates Her Campaign is aimed at ensuring that no girl-child is left behind in terms of education in line with the Malawi Agenda 2063’s clause of leaving no one behind.
The campaign emphasises that keeping girls in school is not enough. They must also succeed to become responsible citizens and decision-makers.
Speaking at the function, Director of Education Planning in the Ministry of Education Victoria Geresomo said the girl-child is the best that countries can offer to a generation that would takeover leadership.
She emphasised the need for action against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and called for creating safe learning environments.
She noted that girls are often marginalised and face significant barriers to education, particularly those from poor families or rural areas.
Said Geresomo: “The statistics are stark: girls are four times more likely to be out of school than boys from the same background. This underscores the urgent need for collective efforts to promote girls’ education.
“I urge all stakeholders to sustain support towards girls’ education by harmonising interventions to avoid duplication.”
She emphasised the need for deliberate policies and strategies to address existing gaps while calling for more research on issues sabotaging girls’ education to inform future actions.
She added that community involvement is vital, particularly in addressing social and cultural norms that hinder girls, such as child marriages.
Speaking earlier, Country Director for OXFAM, Lingalireni Mihowa, said the campaign, initiated under the auspices of the African Union, aims to prioritise and enhance the education of the girl child, fostering an environment conducive to her academic and personal development.
“In collaboration with various Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), this initiative emphasises the importance of policy advocacy and capacity building to create sustainable educational opportunities.
Additionally, the campaign seeks to raise awareness about the challenges faced by girls in accessing education and to mobilise community support for inclusive educational practices.
Through these efforts, it aims to empower young girls, ensuring they have the necessary tools and resources to thrive in their future endeavours.”
