Some of the participants after the training
Chipembere Community Development Organization (CCDO) has trained 40 community members, including teachers, police, community policing members and mother groups to lead advocacy efforts aimed at promoting education for vulnerable girls in rural communities of Thyolo.
The initiative, supported by Spanish organization Mundo Cooperante, is being implemented in six schools: Chisawani, Ligowe, Chimwabvi, Mphedzu, Nyambalo Primary Schools and Chiriza Community Secondary. It seeks to address key challenges such as child marriages, gender-based violence and school dropout among girls.
Speaking during the training, CCDO Executive Director Dalitso Chiwayula said many girls in Thyolo continue to face barriers that push them out of school due to challenges like lack of learning materials and sanitary needs, especially during puberty.
Through this project, we will provide exercise books, school uniforms and even school fees support for 10 secondary school learners. But more importantly, we want to build a community that stands up to protect these girls,” said Chiwayula.
He highlighted that collective action remains vital in tackling harmful practices.
“A collaborative effort is essential in ending child marriages and protecting vulnerable girls.
Parents, teachers, traditional leaders and law enforcement must all play their part. No single organization can win this fight alone—only when we work together can we create an environment where girls feel safe, valued and supported to complete their education,” he added.
During the training, Bvumbwe Police Community Policing Coordinator, John Billy, who also facilitated some sessions, revealed that child marriage cases are still prevalent in the area.
“At our station we continue to record between three to five cases of child marriages every week, which is very worrying.
The community must take reporting seriously if we are to eradicate abuse and give girls a chance at a better future,” said Billy.
One of the participants, Nancy Whayo, a teacher at Chisawani Primary School, applauded the initiative, stressing that girls need both material and emotional support to stay in school.
“Many girls lack motivation to continue with education, apart from poverty which has forced many to drop out. We see cases where girls skip classes whenever they are on their menstrual periods because they do not have sanitary pads. Such interventions bring hope,” Whayo said.
A lot of girls in this district are at a disadvantage of dropping out of school