Rise for Her Project Launched in Dowa and Lilongwe
The Rise for Her project is funded by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and will run from March 2024 to August 2024.
DOWA, Malawi— Sharing Our Future Foundation (SOFF), led by Malawi's First Lady Monica Chakwera, has launched a six-month "Rise for Her" project to combat child marriage and gender-based violence (GBV) in Dowa and Lilongwe districts, writes Vincent Gunde.
The project, which is part of a yearlong Unifying Campaign led by African first ladies, aims to empower women and girls, increase access to income-generating activities for vulnerable women, and strengthen community leadership to facilitate advocacy and policy implementation.
"We are Equal" is the rallying cry of the campaign, which demands equal access to education, health, and economic empowerment for all Malawians, regardless of gender.
The project will target 200 school-going girls in Dowa and 20 teen moms in Lilongwe, providing mentorship and support for their return to formal education.
Additionally, it will train women in business development and management.
"Rise for Her aims to reduce instances of child marriage and GBV among girls and women," said SOFF Programs Coordinator Lawrence Kayesa.
"The project will empower women and facilitate community-led advocacy and policy formulation to address these issues."
The project will also collaborate with the District Council to integrate its areas of focus into existing platforms, promoting community ownership beyond the project's tenure.
"We encourage SOFF to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the council and the CSO Network to enhance cooperation and accountability," said Dowa District Director of Agriculture Martin Kamlomo.
The Rise for Her project is funded by the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) and will run from March 2024 to August 2024.