By Jones Gadama
First Lady Madam Monica Chakwera has called on Malawians to take a leading role in promoting girls’ education in the country.
She made the appeal during a high-level donor engagement on girls’ education empowerment at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe.
As the founder of the Shaping Our Future Foundation (SOFF), the First Lady highlighted the foundation’s efforts in providing bursaries to thousands of girls, enabling them to access quality education. These bursaries cover basic necessities such as school fees, hostels, and other essential requirements.
“The presence of the Foundation and Plan International Malawi has brought hope and a future to girls who could not afford to complete their studies due to lack of resources, especially in rural areas,” Madam Chakwera said. “As an Ambassador for girls, it is my duty to ensure they have hope for their future despite facing challenges.”
Plan International Malawi has been instrumental in supporting the SOFF program.
The organization has provided significant contributions to the bursary program, benefiting 730 students so far.
Their efforts also include providing bicycles to girls to ease the distance to school and building boarding hostels in secondary schools.
“Through our joint Girls Education Empowerment project, we have contributed significantly to the bursary program, accounting for 47 percent of all students who have transitioned to public universities in Malawi,” said Janet Chidothi, Plan International Director of Programmes.
Tadala Ganamba, a student at Lilongwe University of Natural Resources (LUANAR) and beneficiary of the SOFF program, expressed gratitude for the bursary.
“The coming of the bursary to support needy students has played an important role in bringing hope and a future, as I will be able to achieve my dream of becoming a public health worker,” she said.
Despite progress made in promoting girls’ education, challenges persist, particularly in rural areas where access to quality education remains limited.
The First Lady and her partners acknowledge these challenges and are committed to addressing them through sustained efforts and support.
The Shaping Our Future Foundation and Plan International Malawi are working together to provide essential resources, including bicycles and boarding hostels, to support girls’ education.
The joint Girls Education Empowerment project aims to empower girls and promote their education, ultimately contributing to the development of Malawi.
The initiative has already shown promising results, with 730 students benefiting from the bursary program and 47 percent of students transitioning to public universities in Malawi.
The First Lady’s efforts to promote girls’ education are a significant step towards achieving a more equitable and prosperous future for Malawi.
By providing access to quality education, the Shaping Our Future Foundation and Plan International Malawi are empowering girls to become leaders and change-makers in their communities.
The initiative is a testament to the power of collaboration and partnership in driving positive change in Malawi.