Over 60 Malawian Girls Find Safe Haven, Escape Gender-Based Violence
These girls, most of whom are school dropouts, are now on a path to empowerment and education thanks to the program's efforts.
Mangochi, Malawi - In a bid to combat the pervasive threat of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and child marriages in Malawi's Mangochi District, more than 60 teenage girls have found refuge and support through the Safe Space Programme, an initiative implemented by the Go Fund a Girl Child Organisation, writes Bertha Gama.
These girls, most of whom are school dropouts, are now on a path to empowerment and education thanks to the program's efforts.
Go Fund a Girl Child Organization, funded by the Embassy of Iceland, has taken a proactive approach to address the alarming rates of GBV and child marriages in Mangochi, a district grappling with these issues alongside other challenges. While several Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and individuals are working tirelessly to rescue girls from early marriages and reintegrate them into society, Go Fund a Girl Child has established a safe space within the jurisdiction of Traditional Authority Bwananyambi.
The Safe Space serves as an ideal platform for the rescued girls to share their challenges, explore solutions, and acquire technical skills to enhance their lives. Hawa Shabbir, the Programme Manager of Go Fund a Girl Child, explained the motivation behind this initiative, saying, "We have observed that most organizations are focusing on other things rather than empowering girls economically. As such, we are targeting those underprivileged girls under this programme to help them fight gender-based violence so that they live a comfortable life."
Shabbir emphasized that the program also seeks to address cultural practices that perpetuate GBV. Since its establishment in February 2023, the initiative has witnessed significant success stories among its beneficiaries.
Rita Chapasuka, one of the beneficiaries from Traditional Authority Nkumba, shared her journey: "I dropped out of school after getting pregnant. I sat for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examination but did not pass. Now, I have enrolled again to sit for examinations." Chapasuka, who started a small-scale business during her hiatus from school, aspires to open a clothing store to cover her school fees.
Another beneficiary, Marriam Jonasi, expressed her gratitude, saying, "I learned about peer pressure, the evils of gender-based violence, women empowerment, among others. I am encouraging other girls to join youth clubs in their societies to learn more on these issues and how to solve them and achieve goals in life."
Thandiwe Stanford, who married at the tender age of 17, shared her story of struggle after marriage and how Go Fund a Girl Child Organization rescued her. Stanford plans to return to school and pursue self-reliance through small-scale businesses, including soap-making, to cover her school expenses.
Group village headman Kwilindi, initially sceptical about the program's mission, has witnessed a remarkable transformation among the selected girls in the first six months of the project.
"The project has made a huge impact in my area; most of the girls had nothing to do, but now they are empowered economically," Kwilindi stated.
On August 8, 2023, nearly 60 girls from Traditional Authority Bwananyambi celebrated their graduation, ready to embark on a fresh journey toward a brighter future, leaving their problems behind.
Prudence Chavula, the founder of Go Fund a Girl Child, established the organization on January 10, 2015, with the goal of transforming her society through education.
The organization advocates for girl child education and women's empowerment, aiming to combat child marriages, influence policy changes, bring school dropouts back to the classroom, and support vulnerable and orphaned girls in rural areas to remain in school.