First Lady Monica Chakwera has described education and skills development for girls as essential to achieving the government’s development blueprint, the Malawi 2063 Vision (MW2063).
Speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Sartuday during the Girls Education Leaders Coordination meeting, the First Lady said government is committed to empowering the youth with knowledge and employability skills as key drivers to development.
She said it is for that reason that her Shaping Our Future Foundation (SOFF) wants to promote adolescent girls’ learning to reduce the high drop-out rate, among girls in school.
Said Chakwera: “The message is clear that access to education is just the first step in preparing girls to become empowered and contribute meaningfully to society. Quality and relevance of education plus increasing their access to employability skills are very key to ensuring an inclusively wealthy and self-reliant nation by 2063.”
On her part, Creccom executive director Madalo Samati said the meeting will go a long way in accelerating girls’ education in the country.
She said social challenges have impacted heavily on girls’ education which needs to be addressed.
Said Samati: “Social issues are complex and need integrated and holistic approach. There is need for a more coordinated approach to girls’ programming.
“We are still struggling with high dropout rate in primary education and gender-based violence in schools which affects enrolment, completion and performance of learners.”
The meeting was aimed at bringing together girls’ education leaders in the country to instil a culture of coordination among organisations involved in girls’ education programming.
During the meeting, delegates discussed policies and measures targeting girls, especially those in rural areas who continue to face disadvantages.
