The Forum for Women Educationalists in Malawi (FAWEMA), a Non-Governmental Organization in the country has emphasized the need for Malawi to take girls education as an urgent national priority.
Speaking during the official closing ceremony of a visibility week in Lilongwe which the organization conducted to raise awareness on girls’ right to education, the Board Chairperson for FAWEMA Dr. Catherine Nthinda said the organization believes that education is a best weapon in bringing change in a society hence inclusion is important.
Dr. Nthinda said among others FAWEMA is providing guidance and counselling to both boys and girls, supplying sanitary pads and providing bursaries to girls as a way of complementing government efforts to uplift girl education in the country.
“It is important to give every needed support to the girl child to live their academic dreams,” she stressed.
Dr. Nthinda added that it is totally unacceptable for girls to drop out from school because of any kind of discrimination and abuse.
In her remarks, Principal Education Officer responsible for bursaries and girls education in the Ministry of education, Science and Technology Grace Kafulatira hailed FAWEMA for its contribution to girl child education in the country.
Kafulatira said the collaboration between her ministry and FAWEMA in promoting equal education opportunities between girls and boys is making strides.
“As a ministry we are committed to advance the wellbeing of a girl child in all spheres as one pillars of sustainable development in the country,” said Kafulatira.
Speaking on behalf of other girls during the event, FAWEMA alumni Catherine Khofi expressed her gratitude to the organization for its endless support and encouragement to girls in the country.
On the closing day, people marched from Lilongwe Game Complex to FAWEMA office where various activities such as speeches, testimonies and music performances spiced up the day.
FAWEMA was established in 1993 under the Forum for Women Educationalists (FAWE) a pan African NGO working in 33 countries to empower girls and women through responsive education.
