BLANTYRE -(MaraviPost)-The Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) on Wednesday launched a new initiative dubbed ‘Take Charge’ aimed at empowering girls to become change agents in the fight against child marriages and gender-based violence (GBV) in Malawi.
Supported by the Clooney Foundation for Justice, the program focuses on Chikwawa and Chiradzulu districts, where girls are being equipped with leadership skills, human rights education, and training on GBV prevention and sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
Speaking to journalists, the Waging Justice for Women Fellow at CHREAA, Hope Gee Williams,said the project began with an essay competition in five schools to help uncover the real challenges girls face in their communities.
“The essays highlighted serious issues such as child labour, sexual harassment, and unequal household responsibilities, which often push girls into early marriages and pregnancies,” said Williams.
She said in response, CHREAA has established girls’ clubs in schools to promote mentorship and leadership, with trained student leaders driving conversations on girls’ rights and empowerment at the grassroots level.
Williams added that empowering girls to speak for themselves is key to creating lasting change.
“When girls are given the confidence and tools to lead, they become powerful advocates for their own rights and those of others,” she said.
The ‘Take Charge’ initiative is part of activities marking the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, which runs from November 25 to December 10.
